Just Like Normal

It was exactly what you loved doing, the warm rising desert sun, the thrill of swinging a blade, the adrenaline rush of dodging or weaving under an attack. You woke up early like any other day and went down to the Training Grounds to work on your skills. Swinging your blades into a dummy was the best way to clear your mind and allowed you to just relax for the time being. You know you have so many things you need to talk about, so many things to do and plan but all you wanted to do for part of the day was take your mind off all the drama and try to enjoy yourself. That turned out to be a lot more difficult then you could ever imagine though as even though it was refreshing to be slicing a sword, your mind raced with so many upcoming thoughts.

One thing that was different about this day from about every other day in the Syndicate is that normally while you're training in the morning your High Commander, Zoe would be there training right by your side. Today though, she was no where in sight. It was another thing you had to do, find that black haired girl and figure out if she's still under the influence and if she is then you have a big decision to make. She's becoming such a good fighter and wants to be the best but if she's addicted to Snuff, that is something you can't have watching your back. Whether you remove her as a High Commander, remove her as a Sunrider or just force her to take a break for the time being, it was definitely going around in your head.

Worries turn towards the war at hand and that was another thing you had to bring up to Karisi. You didn't know when you'd leave for war, probably only in a few days is what you guess but you would need to figure that out with your Queen and then assemble the troops and let everybody know. It would be nice to allow the warriors a few days notice so the sooner you can tell the Syndicate about the upcoming war the better. Hopefully by tonight or worst case tomorrow you'll announce the war to allow your city to start to prepare however they need to.

Going to war itself was going to be strange for you, not because you were nervous or scared of it, but because there's a good chance all your High Commanders, minus Ashe would be staying back at the Syndicate. Lexie can't go as she's pregnant, Rynlee is gone, Zoe could potentially be a complication due to Snuff and Ashe, even though you know she will come no matter what, could still be recovering so you don't know how battle ready she will be. All your trusted warriors, the ladies in your life that you could count on, at the time when you may need them the most is when they will all be farthest away and not at their best.

You slash into the dummy from the side before pivoting in your step and thrusting the blade into the wood. You pull back quickly and stab in again, three quick stabs as you pretend to kill the wooden enemy. You stay down at the Training Grounds the entire morning racing with thoughts and trying to stall and delay what you should be doing.

Once the sun reaches it's highest peak, you decide you should probably call it for the day and actually get some much needed work done. There was three things you wanted to get done today. You needed to have a discussion with Karisi about the upcoming war, you had to find Zoe, who still wasn't down at the Training Grounds and figure out what her situation is and then later today you'd love to catch up with Ashe again, see how she's handling and have some solo time with her if possible.

Placing the training swords back into the weapon rack you step inside the mountain, making your way through the stone pathways back into the heart of the mountain so you can go towards those stairs that lead up into Sicilian.

You come to the conclusion as you're walking up the stairs of the mountain that you will go talk with Karisi first. Before anything else gets arranged you have to figure out battle plans, when you'll be leaving and what you can expect. You know Karisi should have valuable information and even though she has lied to you before, you do feel you can trust her word.

When you get to the top of the mountain and begin walking down the streets of Sicilian you run into two very friendly faces.

"Darien!!!" Sylvius shouts out, running up to you and giving you a firm hand shake.

"Welcome home buddy!" Felix steps forward, wrapping you in his arms in a giant bear hug and lifts you up off the ground as you almost get squeezed out of your breath.

With a few laughs you finally get put back down, "Hey guys! How have you been?"

"Just fuckin' peachy!" Sylvius exhales "News about Rathkin's betrayal already spread like wildfire. When we gonna retaliate?"

It was amusing that news spread that fast already, "Well, I'm actually on my way to go talk with Karisi right now and we're going to figure those plans out today I'm guessing." you shrug, "I'll most likely make an announcement tonight or tomorrow, call everybody together."

"Oh shit?" Felix interrupts, "Full blown war?" he asks.

"Mhmm..." you hum out.

"Well then! If we're going to war soon, you better spent some time with us before we all leave." Sylvius informs, "Our nights together are always the best! You're one crazy mother fucker, Darien" he slaps your back and releases a few hearty laughs.

"Hell yeah, we haven't had a good night of drinking in a long time, Darien! I've missed it. I've missed you..." Felix trails on.

"Y-Yeah...I know, I know." you mumble out as you rub the back of your head, "I'm sure we can have a drink or two I just don't know how," you pause thinking briefly "how crazy I'll get, need to keep my head on straight, can't go around making stupid mistakes or something."

"You saying if you drink with us you make stupid mistakes?!" Sylvius jests, "Although yeah, sounds about right!" he stares at Felix, "Shit always go downhill when Darien is involved."

"Yeah man, that night with Neira and Estra as well," Felix nudges you in the arm, "That was bonkers! I didn't know you had it in you."

"Uhh..." you honestly have no clue what he's even talking about as you recall waking up in your bed with Sylvius and Neira naked surrounding you, Estra naked in the hot spring in your room and Felix naked in the fetal position. You have no recollection of anything else that happened that night ,"Well, that's me!" you shrug, playing it off.

"Either way, you can count on us to be by your side the entire time at war!" Sylvius affirms, "You've always been there for us, we'll always be there for you! You scratch our backs, we'll scratch yours!"

"Or in Darien's case, you stroke our cocks, we'll stroke yours!" Felix laughs a few times causing Sylvius to break out as well.

"T-Thanks guys...I guess." you half smile as those words are a little concerning, "I'll definitely appreciate having you guys watching my back during war. You have no idea."

"What can I say?" Felix's hand goes on your shoulder, giving you a hefty squeeze, "I like being behind you."

"Anyway!" Sylvius smacks Felix in the side of the head, "We're heading down to the Spirits! Grab some lunch, a few drinks, then off to the Training Grounds." Sylvius tells you, "Hope to hear from you soon in regards to the war! And can't wait to hang out with you again one of these nights."

"Don't make us wait too long, Darien!" Felix gives you a flirty wink as he steps passed you.

You swallow and give a smirk, "Yeah guys, we'll talk soon!" is all you say before you move on, continuing your journey to the castle to sit down and figure out the game plan for the upcoming war.