Battalion Captain Peris Téri, ”Hades’ Dove”'s Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Peris Téri sharpened her blade in the dim light of the War Garden barracks. The metal sang against the whetstone, each stroke bringing her closer to what she wanted most. She would destroy the Hill Plague bandits who terrorized the northern roads. She would claim victory at the Iron Games and prove herself the finest warrior in all the kingdoms. The horned helmet sat beside her on the bench, its dark metal catching the firelight. Tomorrow she would lead her battalion into the mountains where the bandits hid. But first, she needed to be ready. Peris stood and strapped on her weapons. She walked across the muddy grounds to the Amazonian War Training Range where brutal combat drills awaited. Wooden posts wrapped in leather stood like silent enemies. Hanging chains held spiked weights that swung at shoulder height. Practice dummies wore scraps of armor over straw bodies. She drew both blades and attacked the nearest post. Her strikes came fast and hard. The leather split under her blade. Sweat dripped down her face as she moved to the next target. Each cut, each thrust brought the Iron Games closer. When she finished, her arms burned and her breath came in gasps. She was getting stronger. The bandits would fall. Victory would be hers. A low growl echoed across the training grounds. Peris turned to see three massive cats padding toward her through the morning fog. Their coats showed dirty orange and blue-gray, marked with long dotted lines and red patches. Lightweight chainmail covered their shoulders and flanks. The Shepherd Panthers had returned from the northern territories. She knelt and studied their paw prints in the mud. Fresh blood stained the lead cat's muzzle. They had found something in the hills. The bandits were moving closer than she thought. Peris grabbed her helmet and ran toward the barracks to gather her battalion. The time for training was over. She pictured the Bone Ring waiting for her in the distance. Red and black sand covered the coliseum floor. Chained skeletons hung from the walls as warnings to the weak. That savage arena would host the Iron Games where she would prove her strength. But the bandits had to die first. No distractions. No mercy. Peris strapped on her horned helmet and felt the weight settle on her shoulders. Her path was clear now. She would hunt down the Hill Plague in the mountains, then march straight to the Iron Games. Both victories would be hers.