บท 122: Departing for war

Alpheo strode through the gates of the city, the rough cobblestones under his boots giving way to the dusty expanse of the training yard just outside the walls. The clang of steel and the grunts of men filled the air, as soldiers drilled relentlessly under the midday sun. His eyes scanned the field, lingering on the formations of infantry and mounted men. At the far end, Alpheo spotted Jarza, overseeing a group of officers instructing the recruits.

Jarza stood with his arms crossed, his expression stern as he observed the men clumsily trying to mimic the precise movements of the more seasoned fighters. As Alpheo approached, Jarza shifted his stance slightly but didn't look up until Alpheo was beside him.

"How do things look?" Alpheo asked, his tone low but curious, eyeing the chaos of the yard as weapons swung in poorly coordinated arcs.