WE DEPARTED for the ship within the hour with Kingsley by our side. She packed her necessities in a small satchel slung over her shoulder. It's hard to describe a complex person like Kingsley, but perhaps most important is that she's honest and dedicated. Of course, she's also cheerful, responsive, and idealistic, but that's all hidden behind the hard shell that comes from years in a patriarchal military system.

Her honesty though, is what grabbed my attention, and what I cherished her for. On many occasions, people have relied on her honesty and punctuality when they require support, tactical or otherwise.

Nobody's perfect of course and Kingsley has plenty of rainy days too. Her demanding nature can make things uncomfortable, to say the least. Fortunately, her dedication to the rank system helps keep her in check.

Kingsley grew up in the Aexedia Empire. Her father, the emperor, engraved the respect and honor of those above her into her soul. From a young age, she had respect for her elders and obedience to those who outranked her above all else inculcated into her very being.

Thinking of others, doing your best, not giving up, respecting your elders, and knowing your role; the core values of her culture, were never to be forsaken.

Her mannerisms clearly revealed how seriously she took those values. Her mother, The Empress, was a warrior in their empire as well as filling her royal robes. When Kingsley expressed her desire to become a warrior, no one stood in her way as she followed her mother's footsteps.

When I met Kingsley at only seventeen years old, she had tremendous potential for greatness. When I heard she was looking for a mentor, I reached out. She accepted. With my help, she got closer and closer to her potential and became just as powerful as I knew she would be, and she becomes more powerful every day. When you look at her, you wouldn't expect her to pack as much punch as she does into those slender limbs of hers. I used to worry her bones might snap like a bird's, but she's one of the strongest people I know, mentally and physically.

We reached the dock in record time and piled onto the boat. The ship's crew was running around getting ready for our departure to the next location, moving fluidly around the boat's decks.The rhythmic thumping of running feet coming towards me the moment I stepped foot on the ship caught my attention. I looked up to see Prince Grey jogging towards me with a bright smile on his face.

"Welcome back!" He beamed. He stopped right in front of me and seemed to have to stop himself from throwing his arms around me. I heard Kingsley walk up behind me.

"You seem to be in a good mood," I chuckled.

He nodded, "Now that you're back it means we can start sailing again, and I get to meet our newest crew member," He looked over my shoulder and waved to Kingsley enthusiastically.

"I have news for you, Your Highness, She was a member of this crew before this crew even existed. Mind yourself." I said as I stepped out of the way. He held out his hand, offering it to shake "Hello, I am Prince Grey of Kavan. It's nice to meet you." At least he hadn't tried to do the princely thing and kiss her hand. He may have lost his if he had tried.

Kingsley looked at him for a brief second as if sizing up an opponent, then shook his hand, "Likewise. I am Kingsley, Princess and Commanding General of the Aexedia Empire."

"It is an honor to have you on board with us, I am excited to see you put some of these men in their place as well. Aislin had done a pretty good job, but they didn't appreciate taking orders from a 'mere lad' while she was ashore." Grey chuckled.

She laughed and let go of his hand, "Well as stated in an old proverb, "Even a fool has at least one talent."

"Even a fool has at least one talent." Grey repeated in English translating the phrase easily, "I like that."

"You speak Japanese?" She surprisedly asked in her mother tongue.

He nodded, "Yes, I do. Growing up, my father helped me learn three languages other than English."

"Your father is King Kole, I'm assuming?" She asked softly.

He nodded and a sad smile crawled across his face, "Yes ma'am he is."

She nodded and a sympathetic look was sketched on her face, "I know your father. He is a good man, I am sure he would be proud of you."

"Thank you. How did you know my father?" Grey asked innocently.

Kingsley looked at me with a raised eyebrow and at that moment I remembered an important piece of information. No one here knew he was my student. I felt my eyes widen, unprepared for this situation.

Kingsley seemed to understand my expression, but before she could answer, August had come over to us completely oblivious to the situation at hand.

He turned to Kingsley with a large smile and a slight blush, "Hello there. I am August, a Lieutenant in the Kavan army."

I watched Kinsley chuckle lightly and extended her hand politely, "I am Kingsley, Princess, and Commanding General of the Aexedia Empire."

I watched August swoon at her voice as he held her hand. He gazed at her wistfully for a long moment before saying, "You are beautiful, Commanding General Kingsley."

She laughed at this remark. I could see August practically melt into a pool at her feet. She looked at him and I noticed a smile stretch on her lips. Using their connected hands, she pulled him closer to her and she leaned in toward his ear. A dark red blush covered August's face the closer he got to her.

"Can you let go of my hand, Lieutenant?" she teased.

August's eyes went wide and he yanked his hand out of her as if she was burning him, "I am so so sorry General."

She laughed, "It's okay, and please, just call me Kingsley." She turned to me with a mischievous look, "I like this one, he's cute. It makes for good entertainment."

"Don't tell him that. I think he'd spontaneously combust with excitement." Prince Grey snickered.

"I agree. I wouldn't be surprised if he had a heart attack." I chuckled.

"Ay! I don't know what you're saying, but I do know you're talking about me! How rude." August scoffed, snapping out of his daze. Kingsley simply laughed again at the sight of August's flushed face.

"Come on," She said, grabbing his hand, "Show me to my room Lieutenant." August allowed himself to be pulled along by Kingsley, staring at their interwoven fingers open-mouthed and wide-eyed.

"Our next destination is to where the Vikings of the Merk clan reside." I told Prince Grey as we made our way to the steering wheel.

"Vikings of Merk? Is that where the next warrior is?" Prince Grey asked me.

I nodded, taking a seat on a wooden box next to the railing of the deck, "Yes. Her name is Méabh. Her father is the Chief of Merk." I looked at him with a hardened gaze. Grey seemed useasy under my gaze but stood his ground and looked back at me. "When we arrive, everyone but Kingsley and I stays on the ship."

"What? Why?" Evander's challenging voice demanded. We looked behind us to see Evander and Leland walking up the gangplank.

I looked at Evander with a furrowed eyebrow, "Have you ever been to Merk? Or met any of the Vikings of Merk?"

Evander seemed puzzled, "No."

I felt my lips raise and amusement paint my face, "Let me tell you a little bit about them," I stood up from the crate and walked to Evander, stopping in front of him, "Vikings of Merk do not like outsiders. Clan rivalries have turned into clan wars in the last couple years. Everything the king tries to do to resolve the situation just makes it worse. Because of this, the Chief of Merk has grown very wary of strangers. Anyone who has never been to the village before the wars broke out is presumed to be a spy and is immediately run out of town. It's worse than Calflalm. Kingsley and I are the only ones who have ever been there before, therefore we will be the only ones stepping foot off this ship." I stated finally.

I continued loud enough that my voice echoed off the wooden deck for the crew's benefit. "And anyone who thinks they know better will find that I welcome disobedience with less hospitality than the Merkians show outsiders." I turned on my heel and glared at Evander out of the corner of my eye as I stalked away.

"Set sail! We will arrive in three day's time. Until then I suggest that all off-duty personnel catch up on some rest before we start our longest and final stretch to Kavan!" I announced to both the selection of the Kavan Guard I had brought with me and the crew of the ship we had commandeered.

×××××××××××××

Author Note!

As A writer I find it absolutely hilarious that I can write twenty- eight chapters of this book, and not remember any of it. It really takes skills, honestly. You guys can't compete with this.

Did I almost use the same village name used in How to Train Your Dragon (Berk) but changed the B to and M for copyright reasons...? Yes. Yes i did.

How I thought Méabh name was pronounced is NOTHING like it is in reality. Her name is pronounced mauve.....

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