Chapter 3

Enlisted

Rico

I woke up to some Aquidraki soldiers staring at me.

"There he is," one soldier said.

"Prince Rico Sullivan III," the other soldier said. "We are from the 17th Regiment of the Aquidraki/ Altima Alliance. We have come to request that you command Alliance troops to defend Loch Ness City from potential Fangpyre attacks."

"What?" I said, still a little bit tired.

"We want you to command some troops," the soldier said.

"Do I have a choice?" I asked.

"No," they replied.

"Fine. Can I at least say goodbye to my family before leaving?"

"Sorry, we don't have time for that."

I left a note on my bed telling my friends and family what had happened. Then, I followed the soldiers to a nearby Aquidraki training base. The base was a giant metal dome, filled with soldiers from all over Europe. I would have to command these soldiers, despite my Amispire instincts telling me that it was wrong.

I spent the next few days learning self-defense. I had learned some basic combat because I was a Prince, but nothing could prepare me for military training. I learned how to wield various Aquidraki weapons and what to do in various situations. After training, I was assigned to a small military camp outside of Loch Ness City.

Very little happened for about a week after I was taken to the camp. The soldiers and I sat around and chatted. We tried to avoid the inevitable truth. The Fangpyres were coming. They would most likely come soon and attack Loch Ness City. And we would have to risk our lives to defend the city.

I was waiting for some real action. But when that real action came, I could never tell exactly what to do. I might have to sacrifice one of my soldiers for the Four Tribes. It wasn't even a question of if the Fangpyres came, it was when. And when they came, I would have to lead warriors into battle. I didn't think a Prince could do this sort of thing, but sometimes I surprise myself. And my bravery would certainly come the night the Fangpyres attack.