1 Secrets Beneath the Shields

Cescils: people of Cescil Kingdom

Gamaaloths: people of Gamaaloth Kingdom

Everkeep: the capital city of Cescil Kingdom

~~~

Time frame: after war

It was unexpected.

They were never told before that the crown prince and a few other nobles from the Kingdom of Gamaaloth also came down to the battlefield.

They thought they were sending their best knights, their best dragon riders, swordsmen, and archers.

But apparently among their best knights and warriors, some of them were descendants of royalty and even the Crown Prince himself.

Cescils had never even imagined that members of the royal court of Gamaaloth would come to see a battle firsthand, least of all one as dangerous as this.

As Cescils watched, the nobles of Cescil Kingdom murmured amongst themselves, their faces grim with contemplation.

They wondered what they had been thinking, whether they had a personal stake in the outcome of the conflict or if they merely had a taste for the excitement of battle.

Whatever their reasons, their presence sent a chill down Cescil's spine, reminding them that the stakes of this conflict might be larger than they had initially thought.

Suddenly, the entire kingdom and the people of the capital city of Everkeep were busy preparing for a festive welcome, wearing soft silk clothes and serving their best food as the war ended with an armistice agreement.

For nine months, healers lived with them on the Clearport border without their knowledge. The warriors of Gamaaloth were famously mighty yet cold and distant. As word of the impending armistice made its way across the land, Cescils watched the mood of the kingdom shift from wariness to jubilation.

Everywhere they looked, they saw people preparing to celebrate, stringing up colorful banners and donning their finest silks in anticipation of the arrival of the warriors of Gamaaloth. Even the healers who had lived among them for centuries, unnoticed and unappreciated, found themselves greeted by friendly faces and warm meals.

As they walked through the city of Everkeep, Cescils saw old rivalries and animosities set aside for the moment, all in the name of peace. Cescils knew that the warriors of Gamaaloth were known for their might and their distance, but as they waited for their arrival, Cescils couldn't help but wonder what lay beneath the surface of their personalities.

"Look at them. Those Gamaaloth warriors are something else entirely. Covered from head to toe, as if they're hiding their true selves."

"It's true. Their iron face shields and closed clothing give them an air of mystery. I wonder if they're truly as cold as they've been rumored to be."

"Perhaps their distance is a way to protect themselves from the demanding world they live in. It's hard to say for sure. But we'll find out soon enough."

"Yes, the coming weeks will hold many answers. Not just for us, but for the entire kingdom."

"Look at how they communicate. They barely show any skin, always wrapped in those hoods and closed garments. And yet, their eyes... they're captivating."

"I've noticed that too. Despite their hidden faces, their gaze carries an undeniable power and charisma. It's like they have stories to tell."

Cescils found themselves captivated by the intensity of their eyes, wondering what kind of experiences and emotions they had witnessed in their lifetime. The healers almost never saw the faces of any of them for nine months. They also hardly ever chatted other than in regard to the supply of food, clothing, and medicine.

Gamaaloth warriors are also notorious for rarely getting injured and falling ill. They can take good care of themselves. So the healers focused on healing ordinary soldiers who needed their help more.

Despite fighting alongside their less powerful comrades on the frontlines, the Gamaaloth warriors always seemed to emerge unscathed from battle. They took care of their wounds, tended to their ailments, and kept to themselves when it came to matters of health.

Though they rarely interacted with the healers beyond discussing supplies, Cescils couldn't help but wonder what kind of knowledge the Gamaaloth warriors might possess about medicine and healing. Was their resilience to injury the result of some secret knowledge or powerful magic?

Despite their enigmatic nature, Cescil troops found themselves respecting the Gamaaloth warriors for their self-reliance and independence. While the healers focused on helping those who needed it most, the Gamaaloth warriors stood as an independent beacon of strength and capability.

Cescil troops couldn't help but wonder if there was something they themselves could learn from the examples set by their enigmatic allies. As their group was about to enter the royal gates, Cescils' hearts swelled with pride and gratitude as they walked with the returning warriors through the gates.

The horn of welcome sounded, heralding their arrival, and the people of the capital city swarmed through the streets, spreading flowers and eager words of thanks. As they passed through the crowds, Cescils felt deeply grateful to the warriors who had fought so bravely to protect their home.

"Truly, we owe them our deepest gratitude," they whispered to their companion, awe evident in their voice. Beside them, their companion nodded in agreement. "Indeed, thanks to their unwavering bravery, Everkeep stands unscathed by the onslaught of the Ostrill royal army."

As they traversed the city streets, the cheers and applause of the people reverberating in their ears, they couldn't help but think of their fellow warriors who had fought valiantly by their side.

"Look at them," one of the warriors murmured, a hint of wonder in their tone. "The sacrifices we made have touched their hearts deeply."

The warriors had become symbols of hope and resilience for the entire kingdom. As the Gamaaloth army made their way through the streets, the cheers and applause of the people ringing in their ears, they thought of the warriors who had fought so bravely at their side.

They knew that despite the fierce and enigmatic nature of the warriors from Gamaaloth, they had earned the respect and admiration of the people they had fought to protect.

However, their war is not over for them, noblewomen and healer girls. The news that they would be gifted to the Gamaaloth Nation as war prizes was a shock to Cescil and the other noblewomen and healers. They had expected to repay their debt through military assistance or other forms of diplomatic ties, but being handed over as brides to the Gamaaloth warriors was a prospect that sent shivers down their spines.

As rumors of the Gamaaloth's appearance and reputation began to circulate among the women of Everkeep, fear and uncertainty set in. The Gamaaloth warriors were said to be large, brutish, and fearsome - rumored to be descendants of half-beast creatures.

They never married and instead took women solely to continue their lineage. The thought of being forced to wed one of these warriors was enough to send chills down the spines of the noblewomen.

Despite their fears, Healers and the other chosen women understood the gravity of the situation. They knew that they had to find a way to make the best of the situation, to use this new alliance as a way to strengthen their kingdom and protect their people.

As they were led away to meet their new spouses, Cescils couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and dread at the path ahead.

"Isn't it great that we can finally go home?" Lady Sophia said from above the horse. She wore a large maroon robe that contrasted her pale skin and petite body. The sky was clear and bright, with fluffy white clouds floating lazily overhead.

Adeline shook her head. "Not for me, My Lady." She replied reluctantly. Her smile was almost non-existent. She and the mystical Healer girls were all part of the deal for the coalition the Gamaaloths were offering.

"The Gamaaloths aren't as bad as we thought, are they? People say they're monsters, but really they're just ordinary humans who can get hurt and eat the same food as us. Also, happen to be mighty and

well... a little too quiet... hm..."

Lady Sophia was, of course, talking about Ragnar, a dragon rider. They had become friends during their time at the Clearport border. Sometimes they would go out together, walk around the beach, and talk. Or at least Lady Sophia was the one who did most of the talking.

"Hm, not so with Uzana. I'd really like to stuff his mouth with a hunk of stale bread to shut him up."

"Be careful, Adeline, he might choose you to be his bride." Lady Sophia said with a giggle. She rolled her eyes lazily. "You'll see if he chooses me. I'll punch him in the face!"

"With your tiny fists? On his giant body?" Lady Sophia laughed again.