Something very strange was going on. Very, very strange. Relkir had been in another meeting with General Ritlir, who had been asking a lot of different questions. All of a sudden, both Ritlir and Relkir got messages from the Master of Generals, instructing them to both go up to the Grand Hall immediately. Relkir led the way, feeling rather nervous but aware that the High General wanted a quick meeting with the Below Twenty Generals, and wanted Relkir’s advice.
As they reached the Grand Hall, Ritlir pushed Relkir into the room and swiftly backed off, closing the doors and leaving Relkir alone at the entrance. But Relkir didn’t have a chance to be annoyed as they inspected the room before them.
Standing in the centre of the room, the High General had Gath on one side and Vaksavar, the Master of Generals, on the other. Behind them, were the five advisors that Relkir had given recommendations to, to be promoted to the rank of Captain. And behind those five were another 20 Rethans, all of them advisors, both new hires and old hires. On the two sides of the room were a mixture of 47th, 100th and 1000th Legion soldiers.
“Uh…” Relkir stuttered. “What is going on?”
The High General grinned. “Relkir Rethianos, please step forward.”
Knowing they should immediately comply, Relkir did as they were told and stood in front of the High General and two of the most respected Rethans alive. However, Relkir noticed something odd. The Master of Generals was holding the Silver Stave, a long, pure silver pole that was only ever used to officially introduce new Legions, and was wrapped up in red and silver silk.
Relkir took a deep breath as General Vaksavar removed the Silver Stave from its coverings. Behind Relkir, the five new captains and twenty standard troops all moved forward, then stood behind Relkir.
“Please kneel.”
Everyone kneeled down, as ordered.
“Um…” Relkir was slowly working out what as going on. They wanted to say something, but held their tongue.
The High General tutted, cleared their throat, then began to speak.
“Today, on the First of the Fourth, after much deliberation, after much discussion, I, High General Rethais Rethianos, wish to create a new Legion, for the benefit of all of Rethankind. This new Legion has been approved by the Master of Generals and the 100th Legion, and witnessed by the Keeper and the 1000th Legion. I, the General of the 47th Legion certify the creation of this new Legion. By our combined decisions, from this day forward, we are proclaiming and instating the 99th Legion, the Legion of Advisors.”
Relkir blinked. They still didn’t have a chance to say anything. The Master of Generals stared down at Relkir and spoke next.
“The Legion of Advisors will be dedicated in assisting and providing advice and information to both the Below Twenty Legions, the General Council and the ruling Legion of the Retha, currently the 47th Legion. The Legion of Advisors is honour-bound to this duty, and shall aid all those who come to them for help. However, the Legion of Advisors is not bound to the governmental Legions, and is to act as a non-biased portal of assistance.”
The High General turned to both Vaksavar and Gath.
“General Vaksavar, Master of Generals, do you accept the creation of this new Legion?”
“Yes.”
“General Gath, the Keeper, do you accept and witness this new Legion?”
“Yes.”
Satisfied, the High General stepped to one side, and the Master of Generals stepped forward. But they didn’t approach Relkir. Instead, they walked past Relkir, to the five captains-to be.
“Lekiv Iousanios, Mylon Apantos, Skeftin Apantos, Revalos Theanon, Lilyn Elavethon, do you all pledge yourselves both to the Legion of Advisors?”
All five Rethans said yes in unison.
“Good. I, General Vaksavar, hereby induct you to the 99th Legion, the Legion of Advisors. In joining this Legion, you swear servitude and loyalty to your General and to the Rethavok overall.”
Vaksavar holstered the Silver Stave briefly, then pulled five silver bands from their belt. One at a time, Vaksavar tapped the stave on each of the captains’ shoulders, then wrapped their Captain’s Insignias around their upper left arm.
Satisfied, Vaksavar made their way back to the front, so they were standing before Relkir.
“Relkir Rethianos, High Advisor, former Captain of the 47th Legion, will you take this new Legion and lead and guide it, through thick and thin? Will you use this Legion for its intended purpose, to assist the leading Legions, to help all of Rethankind?”
Relkir lowered their head briefly, then looked back up and nodded.
“Yes.”
“Will you dedicate yourself to the Legion of Advisors? Do you swear allegiance to the Retha overall?”
“Yes.”
Vaksavar smiled, then lowered the Silver Stave, tapping it against both of Relkir’s shoulders. They then holstered the staff and lifted Relkir to their feet. As they did so, Vaksavar removed the silver Captain’s Insignia from their arm and replaced it with a thicker golden band, their General’s Insignia. They both bowed briefly to each other, and Vaksavar returned to Rethais’s side. Rethais, Vaksavar and Gath all bowed to Relkir.
“Welcome, members of the 99th Legion. May you all serve us well, and bless us with your advice. And to General Relkir, thank you for your servitude!” the High General beamed. “May you continue to bless the Rethavok with your diligence, intelligence and honour. May you lead your troops with grace and dignity. Thank you all.”
Relkir smiled back. “Thank you, High General.”
“You are welcome, sibling.” Rethais stepped forward, put a hand on Relkir’s shoulder and turned them around to face their new Legion. “99th Legion, your new workplace has already been provided for you, on the freshly rebuilt and remade floor 7. General Relkir, please, send off your Legion to their new home.”
“Very well! Legion, thank you, please make your way to our new work area. I shall be with you shortly.”
The 99th Legion all bowed, then silently left the room. They were followed out by Vaksavar and Gath both dismissing their own troops. The Master of Generals also headed off, but Gath remained present. Once the coast was clear, Relkir turned to Rethais.
“You really think I can do this?”
“If we did not, we would not be here right now!” Gath laughed as they put an arm around Relkir.
“You earned this, little sibling. You will do far more good for far more people than you do now. You are no longer chained to my side.”
Relkir frowned slightly. “I will need help leading them though.”
“At first, sure. But you will get into the swing of things. I have left a booklet in your new office, which should help you get settled in a bit more easily. I recommend you head up, have a nice chat with your new Legion, then sit down for a bit and read through my instructions and guidelines.”
“Thank you…” Relkir tried their best to not sound too unconfident. “I will be honest, I now know how Retvik must have felt when we dragged them to Portalia City and made them a captain… Still, I am grateful for today.”
“No worries!” Rethais continued to smile. “After you have done that though and once the day is over, do you wish to join your fellow Generals for some cookies?”
Relkir looked up and glanced at Gath, then smiled properly. “You know what? That sounds lovely…”