Thánatos

Chapter two

Chapter two
Stargazer Lillie's
Atticus

Clanging echoed across the palace training grounds, fast feet kicking up dirt. Atticus skids backwards landing on his back, a small dust cloud rises around him as a face leans down with a smirk.

"Tsk tsk general" he frowned at the short haired woman as he got up "you've been slacking off" she spoke with a strong accent, something southern or country like.

He picked himself up with his sword just as another swung down against it "let the man concentrate" Atticus's training partner Patt Marshall warned.

Atticus pushed him off and rolled his shoulders "yeah Isaiah, let him grieve. Or he'll kick you off the team" a red-haired woman by the name Jude, provoked sitting on the fence of the training pit.

"He wouldn't kick me off, I'm his favourite" Isaiah replied leaning her elbows on the fence kicking one foot out cross over the other.

"You actually think that?" Jude asked.

"Course! Why do you think I'm a higher rank than you?" Atticus rolled his eyes watching his team converse on the outlines.

Patt swung at him again "focus" he repeated, the sun beaming down on his brown scar covered skin and rigidly cut black hair. Patt was Atticus's age and matched him in height and build. But unlike Patt, Atticus had bright white hair and tanned skin, unblemished and fit. He bent his knees taking on Patt's force while the others continued to speak of him as if he wasn't there.

"Remind me why he's been so moody?" Isaiah Tonks asked her short hair sticking to her forehead in the spring sunshine. She was a slim woman, all legs and arms. Her eyes were crescent shaped, deep dark pools of mischief, and her smile sly like a cat.

Beside Isaiah, Jude Marks sat on the fence repeatedly kicking her shoulder "quit bringing it up!" Isaiah shoved her away "Atticus doesn't mind, do you Atticus?" In response he flipped her off.

"See? But seriously buddy, what were you expecting?" A familiar face tugged on Isaiah's fringe "a man can dream" Kiri Brigs defended her best friend to which Atticus smiled before Patt drilled into him again.

Atticus grunted as he sent him sprawling across the ground, he began to feel a familiar ache in his muscles as he tried to stand. Patt raised a hand "no, we are done here" he sighed out sheathing his sword, he seemed almost bored with it.

Atticus didn't protest slowly pacing towards the fence where his team sat under the shade of an old willow tree, its branches leaning over them like long fingers "back sore old man?" Isaiah teased playfully watching Atticus groan as he sat down on the ground leaning against the fence.

His team consisted of seven of the youngest military personnel in the kingdom. Nicknamed the younglings, they formed the Stargazer Lillies branch. Each with their own set of skills and abilities that brought his team to the king's recognition. First was Atticus, General of Arcon. At twenty-three he rose to this position after attending the knighthood academy for six years.
Then it was Lieutenant Kiri, same age as Atticus and has been by his side since she landed him a twisted wrist on their first of day self defence training.

"Bloody hell, I just remembered we have guard duty at the festival" Isaiah said making the rest of them groan, despite her scrawny appearance Isaiah is major general, proving her skill through weaponry. Her ability to disarm opponents under high pressure and being swift on her feet earned her the position.