บท 241: Where the Rubber Hits the Road

~ ASH ~

I'd remained deluded until after my training was complete—which had taken two years—and I'd taken my vows.

The vows had made me nervous because they conflicted with my original contracts with the Physicists, but it had been years at that point since I'd heard from them. I remained convinced of my independence from them throughout my first assignments—guarding high profile visitors to the castle, escorting powerful men and women through the borders of Arinel, even being called to spy at times.

Three years a Defender, and I was no longer a modern man, making his way in a strange world. I was a Knight. When I walked the streets, common men bowed their heads, and noblemen gave me space to move.

Then I was assigned to Kyrosia—a mysterious nation. Little was known about what happened within its borders.

I was ecstatic when they assigned me there—could there be a higher level of trust than to be the one sent into that land?