Chapter 112: Arrived

Nymeria was standing right outside the space house. She looked around as she took a deep breath. The mountain air and cold hit her chest and it felt good.

This was her first time stepping out after her injury.

Her body was still a little sore if she moved too fast, but thanks to the green herbal medicine Lyra kept forcing her to drink, her healing was fast.

She could walk on her own feet now, even though she was still not allowed to do any heavy lifting or do any training.

Around her, everyone was busy getting ready to leave. They were heading to the regional military base—one of the main bases holding the line in the North.

Gideon walked into the middle of the yard and unfolded a big map and then placed it on top of a flat wooden box. He pointed his finger at the map as hw traced a line along the lower trails.

"We are taking this route," Gideon said, looking at everyone. "We are staying inside the North, so we are not going anywhere near the border." He looked up, his eyes stopping on Nymeria. "Since Nymeria is strong enough to stand now, West will ride with Reynold’s group."

When they were running for their lives to the safe house, only Reynold, Nyx, and Nymeria were riding on Aurion. They did not want to push Nymeria because of her bad injury. West had to ride on Evan’s dragon with Evan, Gideon, Lyra, and Niya which made it five people on one dragon.

But now that Nymeria was safe and awake, putting West on Aurion made it four riders on each dragon. It was much better for everyone.

Reynold and Nyx helped carry the heavy gear outside, and tying them tight on the backs of Pyreus and Thornox.

West looked at the remaining dragons resting on the grass—the dragons whose riders had died, including Lord Damon’s dragon.

"What will happen to them?" West asked, pointing at the riderless dragons.

"The military will send some people to come evacuate them back to the dragon grounds," Gideon said simply. "They will be distributed to the different to each academy after recovery."

West nodded.

Everyone climbed up on the dragons’ backs.

With a loud snap of their wings, all four dragons fly into the air.

...

Two days later.

They have been on the road for two days, but only stopping along the way to rest, eat, and take short naps.

By the afternoon of the second day, they finally arrived at the military base.

The place was huge. High black brick walls covered around the entire area. It was so tall they almost touched the sky.

Magic formation arrays glowed softly on top of the walls, protecting the camp from attacks, while heavy iron weapons were set up along the battlements.

Soldiers were marching in groups, new recruits were taking instructions from older seniors, and some squads were getting ready to be sent out to different posts.

When the dragons landed on the dusty ground, ground workers ran over immediately to direct them toward the big dragon stables built into the mountain wall.

Everyone stepped down with their bags.

Before Nymeria could even reach for her own bag, Nyx and Reynold quickly grabbed it to help her carry it.

West let out a big grin as he wiped the sweat from his face. "Finally! We made it to the camp in one piece."

Evan adjusted his heavy pack on his shoulder as he looked around the huge base. "And this is where the real journey begins."

Security at the entrance was very strict. The guards tested them for any trace of black magic, and they bags were also searched several times before finally letting them go inside.

As they walked past the stone buildings, Gideon started briefing them on how things worked.

"Keep your eyes open and listen carefully," Gideon said. "This base has three main power branches you need to respect. First are the S.R Officers—the field commanders who handle raw war and border defense. Second are the Mage-Enforcers, who deal with rogue magic and internal threats. Third are the Supply and Logistics Directorate."

All around them, everyone was busy. Soldiers were carrying crates of weapons, some were sharpening swords on big grinding stones, and some were practicing fights in the mud.

Gideon continued. ""Pay attention to rank, but do not go poking your nose in to some business that is not yours. Stay away from the upper tier officers unless you are called. Keep your heads down, and do not get drawn into territorial fights between recruit squads, and if you see the Enforcers interrogating someone in the yards... walk the other way...."

"Too much rules." Reynold murmured under his breath as he turned his head to a different direction.

Gideon stopped in front of a wide stone building. "Go in there and get your uniform, your gear, and your recruit badges."

They all nodded and walked inside the building.

Evan turned back at the doorway and asked, "Are you not coming in with us?"

"No," Gideon said, standing by the entrance. "I will wait here for you."

"Officer Gideon?" a woman’s voice called out from the side.

Gideon turned his head.

A woman was walking toward him.. She is tall, in her late thirties, long blonde hair and a long face..

Gideon immediately raised his hand to his chest and saluted. "Officer Margaret."

"We got your letter," Margaret said. "A specialized team has already been deployed to Post 6. But since you are back, we will send a messenger bird to update them. They will evacuate the remaining dragons, survey the area and bring back a full report."

She paused, looking toward the building where the others had just entered.

"Where are the new recruits?"

"They are inside getting their armor, gear, and badges now, ma’am," Gideon answered.

Margaret let a single nod. "Good. As soon as you are done handing them off, report straight to Room 13. Command needs to take your full official statement regarding the attack."

"Understood," Gideon said.

Officer Margaret turned around and started walking away.

Gideon stood there, his eyes following her movements as she walked.

Puff!

Out of nowhere, a small object flew through the air and hit Gideon right on the side of his shoulder.

Gideon winced and turned around quickly to face the direction it came from. "Who did that?!"

His voice stopped off mid-sentence.

As his eyes landed on the person standing by the corner of the building, the anger on his face instantly vanished and was replaced by a deep frown.