Recruitment

The interior was lavishly decorated, a stark contrast to the rugged exterior. Polished wood panels gleamed under the soft glow of brass sconces, casting warm light over plush, velvet-upholstered seats. Everything about the space exuded wealth and power, a silent testament to the influence of the Empire. The rhythmic chug of the train beneath them was steady, almost hypnotic, as it pulled away from the station, leaving the familiar behind.

Liam’s senses were overwhelmed as he took in the grandeur of the compartment. The air was thick with the scent of aged wood and leather, mingling with a faint trace of expensive perfume. Everything was immaculate, each detail meticulously arranged to display opulence, as though wealth were a matter of personal pride here. The walls seemed to shimmer with a kind of quiet pride, offering a glimpse into a world where appearance mattered more than substance, and the ruling class maintained their hold on society through sheer spectacle.

A mixture of excitement and unease coiled in Liam’s stomach. This was it—the beginning of a new chapter, one he wasn’t sure he was ready for. His heart raced with anticipation, but at the same time, his mind was clouded with doubt. What was he truly stepping into? The invitation to travel with Alistar, to leave the relative safety of Kattem behind, felt like an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. But everything here—this space, these people—was so far removed from the life he had known. The Empire was a beast, complex and unpredictable, and Liam wasn’t sure if he had the strength to face it.

"Come," Alistar said, his voice cutting through the silence, his tone calm and commanding. "We have our own cart.”

Liam turned toward the older man, his thoughts temporarily distracted by the cool assurance that seemed to surround Alistar like a cloak. The man’s presence was steady, unwavering, and Liam couldn’t help but wonder if that was something he, too, could learn to emulate.

He followed Alistar down the narrow corridor, dodging the occasional passenger as they moved toward the rear carts. The train was filled with people—nobles, soldiers, servants, all with their own roles to play, but in this space, it was clear that the balance of power was skewed heavily in favor of the aristocracy. Liam's eyes lingered on the finely dressed men and women, their rich fabrics and elegant accessories a stark contrast to his own more modest attire. Their stiff-backed postures, the way they held themselves with an air of superiority, only served to highlight his own discomfort.

Many of the nobles bore the pale, aristocratic features of Ariagold, their expressions either indifferent or subtly scrutinizing. Their gazes flicked over Liam, assessing him with the practiced eye of someone accustomed to measuring people based on status, wealth, and influence. A few Merwicians, like Liam, stood out with their darker complexions, their presence in such an elite space an anomaly. To these high-born elites, someone like Liam—someone born on the fringes of society—was a curiosity at best and a threat at worst. He caught snippets of hushed conversations, the clinking of glasses, the occasional burst of laughter—all underscored by the steady pulse of the train as it hurtled forward.

It wasn’t just curiosity he sensed from the Ariagold nobility—it was disdain. Their glances lingered on him just a second too long, their eyes cold and dismissive. To them, Merwicians were no more than laborers, servants, workers, soldiers who knew their place far below the privileged elite. The idea of one walking so freely among them must have been an offense to their sensibilities. He had seen the look they gave him before, but here, surrounded by wealth and power, it felt sharper, like it was licking his neck ready to slice at a moment's notice. It was a kind of silent rebuke, a reminder of his place in a world that had no interest in acknowledging him as anything more than a tool to be used or discarded.

Liam had long since grown accustomed to the kind of covert prejudice he faced in the cities, but here, in the heart of the Empire, it was different. It was more refined, more insidious, but no less real. The judgment, the rejection, the deliberate ignoring of his presence—it was all there, and it was all he could do not to let it break him.

As they approached the rear carts, the atmosphere shifted. The grandeur remained, but the space felt more private, insulated from the world beyond. Here, the air was slightly cooler, the noise of the other passengers fading into the distance as though they had crossed into another realm entirely. Alistar stopped before an ornate door and gestured for Liam to enter. His voice was quiet, almost imperceptible beneath the hum of the train, but there was an unmistakable command in it.

Liam hesitated only for a moment before stepping inside.

The compartment was spacious, almost indulgent. Rich carpets covered the floor, and the scent of polished wood and leather hung in the air. It was comfortable—luxurious even—but there was something else that caught Liam’s attention, something he hadn't expected to see here. A familiar figure stood by the window, her back to him, her features bathed in the soft light that filtered through the tinted glass.

“Emma?” Liam asked, his voice rising in surprise.

She turned, her green eyes widening in recognition before softening into something that could only be described as relief. "Liam!"

A grin broke across his face as he crossed the threshold. “I didn’t know you were coming with us.”

Emma let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. “Neither did I until a few days ago. It’s good to see a familiar face.”

For a moment, the two of them stood there, caught between joy and uncertainty. The last time they had seen each other, it had been in Kattem, and both of them had been too caught up in the whirlwind of their own lives to have any idea of the path that lay ahead. Now, here they were, thrust together again in the heart of the Empire, on a train bound for Ariagold.

A few moments passed, the unspoken weight of the journey ahead settling between them. There was so much Liam wanted to ask—had she been selected from Solsit and not someone else? Where had she been assigned? Had she faced the same scrutiny from the nobles? But before he could speak, Alistar’s voice cut through the silence, pulling their attention back to him.

“The journey back to Ariagold will take a week,” Alistar began, his tone measured and authoritative. “You both will have your own compartments, as will the nobles traveling with us.” He gestured towards the next cart, where other doors led to separate sections of the train. “Consider this your introduction to the Empire.”

Liam exchanged a glance with Emma before turning back to Alistar, a hint of skepticism creeping into his voice. “It feels like we’re just escorting people.”

Alistar’s lips curled into a knowing smile, but his eyes held something more—an edge that suggested there was more at play here than Liam could see. “In a way, yes. But I want you to observe the nobility we’re traveling with. They are far above the standards you may be accustomed to back home, but their influence is crucial all the same. Understanding their politics, their alliances, and their prejudices will be as important as any combat or magic training.”

Liam nodded slowly, his thoughts churning. He had spent most of his time in Kattem on the outskirts of noble affairs, aside from the occasional run here and there. His status as a Merwician made the divide even greater, but never unbearable. Still, this was different. Though this was familiar territory, it was under new circumstances, and he wasn’t sure if he would be welcomed—or merely tolerated.

Emma crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. “And what exactly do we gain from this?”

Alistar’s smirk widened, as though he had been expecting this question. “Knowledge. Position. Power. If you’re to serve the Empire, you need to understand the world it operates in.”

Liam’s fingers curled into fists. He had spent his whole life being told what his place was. Now, he was being told he could change it—but at what cost? What had he signed up for? He swallowed hard, but the questions swirling in his mind refused to settle. It was as though the answer to every question was wrapped in layers of secrets, each more elusive than the last.

Alistar leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp. “The Empire doesn’t merely fight wars with swords and magic. It survives through control—of information, of people, of perceptions. That is where you come in.”

Emma’s brow furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. “So, we’re spies?”

Alistar chuckled, the sound smooth and calculating. “Spies? No. Agents. Yes. The distinction is important. A spy is expendable. An agent is indispensable.”

Liam felt a knot tighten in his stomach as the reality of their situation began to sink in. “And what exactly are we agents of?”

“The Empire’s future,” Alistar said simply. “Our purpose is not just to enforce the Empire’s will, but to shape it. Every decision the council makes is influenced by forces most people will never see. If you succeed, you won’t just be serving the Empire—you’ll be guiding it.”

Emma’s expression was unreadable, but Liam could feel the tension radiating off her. She understood the weight of what was being asked of them.

“And if we refuse?” Liam asked quietly, his voice steady but his heart hammering in his chest.

Alistar’s smile didn’t waver, but something in his eyes hardened. “You won’t.”

Emma’s anger flared, but she spoke in a hushed voice, trying to keep the frustration at bay. “Humor him?”

Alistar’s smile faltered ever so slightly before he gave his response, his eyes narrowing. “Then that truly is up to you.”

A silence stretched between them, filled only by the rhythmic clatter of the train over the tracks. The outside world blurred past, the forests and fields giving way to rocky terrain as they pressed onward toward Ariagold.

Liam’s heart thudded in his chest as the silence. The clatter of the train tracks beneath them, once a comforting, now felt like an ominous metronome, marking the passage of time as they sped closer to their uncertain future. His fingers itched at his sides, and he resisted the urge to curl them into fists. He wanted to speak—to ask more questions, to demand clarity—but he knew that would change nothing.

Alistar had made it clear that there was no room for negotiation. The Empire had its plans, and those who worked for it had little choice but to fall in line. If Liam were to succeed in finding any information about his father or brother, he'd need to play the game by the Empire’s rules, even if those rules were shrouded in darkness.

Despite himself, the thought gnawed away. What kind of game was this? The idea of guiding the Empire, influencing decisions? Was he prepared to be part of something so corrupt, so intricately woven with lies, deceit, and manipulation? He had seen enough of the Empire’s reach to know it wasn’t just built on ideals or virtue, but on control.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, still trying to digest everything Alistar had said. Emma, ever the pragmatist, sat beside him, her brow furrowed as she pondered their new roles.

“I didn’t come here to be anyone’s puppet,” she muttered, almost as if speaking to herself. She crossed her arms, eyes distant, as though considering what part of herself she could give away in exchange for power.

Liam glanced at her. Determination had always been something he admired about her. She wasn’t the type to let anyone control her, especially not some like Alistar. But that didn’t mean they had a choice.

“We may not have the luxury of choosing who pulls the strings,” Liam said quietly. “But maybe we can still choose how we play.”

She met his gaze, a flicker of understanding passing between them. They were both products of a world where power wasn’t something you simply walked into; it was something you fought for, bled for, or stole.

They weren’t naive. They knew what this new life meant. It meant getting their hands dirty. But it also meant a chance to change the world around them—or at least to carve out a place for themselves within it.

Alistar, observing their quiet exchange, finally spoke. “You’re both quick learners, I see. But let me make one thing clear. This is not about morality. It’s not about choosing right or wrong. It’s about survival. Power, control—these are the currencies of the world we live in.”

He paused, as though weighing the impact of his words before continuing. “You’ve both seen the way the Empire deals with threats. It doesn’t just crush them—it shapes them, co-opts them, turns them into something useful. If you want to survive, you must do the same. You’ll need to understand who the real players are, who holds the strings, and how to use their influence to your advantage. The Empire is more than just an army or a government—it is a network of allegiances, secrets, and power plays that span far beyond the borders of Ariagold. It dwarfs anything that Noalica or that Guild-collective have at their disposal.”

The Empire wasn’t just a machine; it was a web, and everyone within it had their own part to play. The nobility, the military, the scholars, even the merchants—all of them had something to lose or gain in this high-stakes game.

Emma spoke again, her voice tinged with skepticism. “And you think we’re supposed to be part of that web? That we’ll have any say in the way things are run?”

Alistar’s lips twisted into a knowing smile. “That’s the key. You won’t have a say unless you’re involved. And the only way to get involved is to prove your worth. Power isn’t given—it’s earned, and it’s earned through influence.”

Liam sat back in his seat, processing the weight of Alistar’s words. He had spent most of his life on the outside, looking in at the opulent lives of the nobility. He had learned early on that the world he inhabited didn’t care about merit—it cared about power. The strongest, the wealthiest, the most influential—they were the ones who shaped the world. He had never imagined he would be thrust into the middle of this tangled mess of politics and intrigue. But here he was, whether he was, ready or not.

A week? He could do this for a week. He could endure the cold stares of the aristocrats, the backroom deals, the subtle power struggles. He could learn what needed to be learned and keep his head low—at least until he found a way to navigate it all.

But there was one question that remained, gnawing at the back of his mind, refusing to be ignored. What exactly were Alistar and the Empire preparing them for?

Emma seemed to be thinking the same thing. She leaned forward, her gaze fixed on Alistar. “You still haven’t told us what we’re truly here for. What’s the real mission? Who are we serving?”

Alistar’s eyes flickered, the slightest hint of surprise crossing his features before he masked it with a practiced calm. “You are serving the future of the Empire,” he repeated, his voice colder now. “And if you think that’s a vague answer, then you’re not yet understanding the nature of this world. The future of the Empire doesn’t just lie in the hands of the Emperor. It lies in the hands of those who control the Empire’s future—its leaders, its financiers, its military commanders. And that includes the noble families you’ll be meeting during this journey.”

He paused, his eyes hardening as he watched them. “Every family, every individual with power has an agenda. Every alliance is a potential betrayal. Every deal struck is a potential trap. And it’s your job to identify those traps and inform me of where they're laid."

Liam felt a chill run down his spine. He had thought he understood the world. He had thought he knew how to survive. But Alistar was talking about something far more dangerous, something that wasn’t just about fighting with swords or casting magic—it was about the manipulation of people, of whole systems. It was about being a puppet master, pulling strings from behind the scenes.

Liam met Emma’s gaze. She didn’t say anything, but her eyes were sharp with a mixture of resolve and wariness. She wasn’t intimidated, but she understood the stakes.

For the rest of the evening, Alistar said little, allowing Liam and Emma to absorb what he had revealed. The train continued its journey across the country, the landscapes outside shifting from dense forests to the rolling hills and open plains that marked the Empire’s heartlands.

But inside the train, the world felt smaller. It felt more claustrophobic, as though the walls of the compartment were closing in around them with each passing hour. The weight of the ambitions pressed down on them, threatening to suffocate any sense of freedom or choice.

Eventually, as the night wore on, Alistar excused himself, leaving Liam and Emma alone in the compartment.

Liam stared out of the window, watching the stars blur as the train sped through the darkness. He wasn’t sure what the future held for him or Emma. The journey ahead would undoubtedly be filled with dangers—both known and unknown. But one thing was certain: there would be no going back. The train had already left the station, and the wheels were set in motion.

He glanced at Emma again. This time, her expression was softer, but still thoughtful.

“We’ve crossed the line, haven’t we?” Liam said quietly.

Emma gave him a faint, almost imperceptible nod. “There’s no turning back now.”