“I feel like they are testing us.”
“Why?”
“They are keeping us together.”
“Because we are triplets.”
“No, to see who is the worst and who is the best. And the worst is clearly me.”
“Relkir, just because you are not physically strong, does not mean you are less than us! After all, I am pretty stupid, and you always help me with my homework!”
“You are not stupid, Retvik, you just are not as smart as I am, and Relkir mentally outshines us both.”
“They should have taken me away to the special needs camp already. They have not. They are testing us. More than everyone else. We are the only three juniors they have requested to go to the grand hall tomorrow with the strangers.”
“Probably just another stupid test.”
“Either way… there is something going on with us and I do not know what it is and I am scared.”
“What are you scared of?”
“They might take me away. Forever.”
“Well, no matter what, Rethais and I will make sure you are safe, right?”
“Of course. Our hatch parents may have abandoned us, but we will not abandon each other.”
“We will not let the strangers hurt you, Relkir. We promise.”
Relkir’s eyes blinked erratically as they realized they had fallen asleep at their desk. Someone was nudging them, trying to get them to wake up. Unfortunately, that person happened to be the High General of the Rethavok.
“Are you alright, Relkir?”
Rethais looked concerned. Being a very powerful being, Rethais normally hid their emotions behind a layer of strictness and stoicism, so the fact that they looked concerned immediately made Relkir concerned.
“I… I am fine… I must be tired.”
“Did you sleep well at least?”
“No. Same bad dream. 1st of the 4th, 1990. Well, actually, the dream I just had was about the night before, when we were just… sitting and talking. Still haunts me, even if I am free now.”
Rethais sighed, then pulled up a chair and say down next to Relkir. “I am often reminded of that… event in my dreams as well. You were nearly taken from us. I know I do not show it enough, but I am very thankful for you, little sibling. And I will be blunt, that day bothers me too. I was always somewhat safe, but I was certain that I was about to watch either you or Retvik be killed…”
“I assume that was why you completely removed all forms of capital punishment as your first act as High General?”
“Yes. Admittedly, a lot of the major accomplishments I have made are because of what happened to us as juveniles. But I could not have done any of this with you… However…”
Rethais trailed off and sighed again. Relkir snapped to attention, suddenly very anxious about what Rethais was about to say.
“I could have been better to you. Yes, I have protected you, kept you safe, but I have also kept you hidden. At the same time, you have been working nonstop. You literally do not turn off. Because you feel beholden to me, and do not want others to see you in a poor light. Or, rather, even more of a poor light, because of your physical attributes, since most cannot see how vastly intelligent you are.”
“It has not been that bad!” Relkir protested. “I am a captain in your Legion, you gave me a prestigious title, you ended the damn Bloodline Traditions and have allowed me to live a normal life. I NEED to work hard, for you, to repay you.”
“You should not need to repay me. That is the problem. If anything, I should be repaying you for your hard work.”
Rethais reached into their satchel and pulled out several sheets of paper.
“I have also spoken to General Gath. They told me they were ill and were planning in retiring in a few years However, I am concerned that you are both overworking yourself and doing extra hours because you feel guilty for spending time with Gath whenever they pop by. I do not like that you feel bad for finally living your life.”
“I have not been working as much as I should.”
“You are working more hours than normal. I know, I checked with 47th Legion security and 47th Legion scheduling, you are leaving later and later. I am worried about you, Relkir. Which is why-”
“Please do not fire me, I cannot get a job-”
Rethais put a heavy hand on Relkir’s shoulder. “Calm down. Take a deep breath, count to ten. I am not firing you.”
Relkir did as they were told. Once they had calmed down, Rethais removed their hand, gave Relkir the first sheet of paper, then reached into their satchel again and pulled out a small dagger and a silver band. They stood Relkir up, tapped Relkir on each shoulder with the dagger, then clamped the silver band around Relkir’s upper left arm.
“I have no idea where you got the idea that I am going to fire you. In fact, I am here to reward you. Firstly, Relkir Rethianos, you are now a captain of the 47th Legion, officially. This includes all perks and responsibilities of being a captain, as well as a pay increase. I know you dislike open ceremonies, so I am informing you in private.”
“Oh. Thank you. I do not know what to say.”
“Do not say anything. I have been slow when it comes to thanking you for your work and now I am rectifying that…” Rethais put the dagger away, then smiled. “Secondly, as part of your new rank, you are entitled to extra holiday. Except… you have not spent any of your holiday time, and will not spend it until I force you to.”
Relkir sat back down and shrunk in their seat. “You are about to force me to take time off, yes?”
Rethais sat down too. “I am, yes. Because you are going to burn yourself out. You were shot through your intestines not too long ago, you did not take any real time off to recover and you went straight back to work.”
“Retvik did not take time off.”
“Retvik is a gladiator, their job is not as vital as yours, they are blessed by the Oath Keeper AND Retvik DID eventually take time off, they went back to work proper a few days ago. Because of-“
“Hang on!” Relkir suddenly interrupted. “You just called the God of Decay the Oath Keeper… like I do.”
“To be fair, that is what Arkadin is. A god of truths, justice and promises, on top of a god of decay and death. That is beside the point though. I am forcing you to take some time off, while things are quiet and I do not need you.”
“But… you do…”
Rethais sighed. “Little sibling, you KNOW I have other advisors. I was fine when you took time off to date Gath, I was fine when you were recovering from your injuries. I will be fine while you go on this secret holiday Gath is…” Rethais suddenly stopped. “Oh.”
“Gath is planning a secret holiday?” Relkir asked.
“Yes. A proper vacation. A trip abroad. Gath wishes to do some traveling while they are still plenty fit to do so. They did not say where they were planning to go, but… I was not supposed to tell you, I was supposed to just tell you that you were taking specific dates off…” Rethais rubbed their eyes. “Admittedly, you are not the only one who is overworking. But I am arranging some time off for myself over Macromera, which is closer than it seems.”
Relkir snorted. “Hah. I should have known Gath was up to something.”
“I have never seen Gath so happy. And I have never seen you so happy when you two are together. You deserve your happiness. Which is why I am helping you and giving you these little benefits.”
Relkir looked up at Rethais, then smiled and hugged their big sibling tightly.
“Thank you, Rethais.”
“Thank you, Relkir. Now, finish up here and go home, alright?”
Relkir smiled some more, then did as they were told. “Yes, of course, High General. Thank you.”
“No worries!” Rethais smiled back as they got up. They patted Relkir on the shoulder, then calmly left the office. “Say hello to Gath for me. Good night, Relkir.”
“Will do. Good night, Rethais.”