Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 379: Marching ahead

When Volde arrived at Lucas’s tent with Tom, he stopped just inside the entrance and froze. His eyes went straight to Lucas’s face before he could stop himself, and the reaction was immediate.

"By the heavens..." Volde said under his breath, then quickly lowered his head. "Forgive me, my lord. I did not mean to stare."

Lucas waved it off lightly and leaned back against the cushions. He had removed the silver mask the moment he returned to the tent, and the dull ache across his scarred face reminded him why people reacted the way they did. "You are not the first," he said calmly. "And you will not be the last. Sit."

Volde obeyed, though his expression remained tight. "The reports reached us," he said after a moment. "About the dragon. About the abyss. I did not expect... this."

Lucas glanced at Tom, who stood nearby with his hands clenched, clearly holding back emotion. Lucas understood the look too well. "I am alive," Lucas said, his tone firm but gentle. "That is what matters. The rest is something I will deal with."

Volde nodded slowly. "Still, to stand in front of such a thing... many would have broken."

Lucas smiled faintly, a tired curve of his lips.

There was a brief silence before Lucas straightened, the air in the tent shifting subtly as his focus sharpened. "Volde," he said, his voice taking on a more official weight. "I called you here for a reason."

Volde lifted his head immediately. "Give the order."

Lucas reached into his storage ring and allowed a faint ripple of energy to pass through the space. The presence of the Core of Dominion seemed to press against the air even without being revealed. "You will take charge of the gauntlets," Lucas said. "All of them."

Volde’s eyes widened slightly. "Me?"

"Yes," Lucas replied without hesitation. "Tom already has more responsibilities than any squire should bear during a war. I need someone with experience, discipline, and the sense to know when to act and when not to."

Tom opened his mouth as if to protest, then closed it again. "I can handle it, my lord," he said quietly.

Lucas shook his head. "You already handle too much," he replied. "And you will remain close to me during the march. I will not divide your attention."

Volde lowered himself to one knee at once. "I will not fail you," he said solemnly. "I will treat the gauntlets as if they were my own life."

"That is exactly how you should treat them," Lucas said. "They are not weapons meant for carelessness. They are balance breakers."

Volde rose, his expression resolute.

Lucas turned his gaze toward the side of the tent where Jennifer was standing quietly, having listened without interrupting.

"Jennifer," Lucas called.

She stepped forward immediately. "Yes, my lord."

"Gather the squad," Lucas said. "Make sure they are ready before first light. We will be the first to advance when the march begins."

Jennifer hesitated only a fraction of a second before nodding. "They will be ready," she said. "I will personally see to it."

Lucas closed his eyes briefly and let out a slow breath. Inside, he felt the exhaustion pressing at the edges again, but the resolve remained unshaken. The war would not wait for his wounds to fade, and neither would he.

"Go," he said quietly.

Volde bowed once more and turned to leave. Jennifer followed soon after, already planning her steps. Tom lingered for a moment, looking at Lucas with concern and pride tangled together, before finally stepping aside.

When first light finally crept over the camp, it did not come gently. Horns sounded in the distance, armor clinked, horses stamped the ground, and the low murmur of thousands of voices rolled through the tents like a restless tide. Lucas stepped out just as Tom finished tightening the last strap on his horse.

"You should not strain yourself today," Tom said quietly as he handed Lucas the reins, his eyes lingering on the faint scars that the silver mask did not fully hide. "At least not more than necessary."

Lucas mounted smoothly, though the motion sent a dull ache through his body that he ignored without a word. He had felt worse and he had still stood. "If I rest now," he replied, "I will rest forever. This is not the time for that."

Tom nodded, accepting the answer even if he did not like it. "Your squad is already waiting," he said. "They have not moved since before dawn."

"That is good," Lucas said. "Discipline matters more than enthusiasm."

He urged the horse forward, riding through the parting lines of soldiers until the front of the army came into view. The king sat astride his warhorse, clad in full armor, the massive sheathed sword resting against his side like a sleeping beast. Beside him stood Henrietta, her posture straight and alert, Captain Varran with his ever watchful gaze, and Commander Alexander studying a spread map with a furrowed brow.

The king noticed Lucas first. His eyes narrowed slightly as Lucas approached, then softened. "You should still be resting," he said, though there was no command in his tone.

Lucas inclined his head respectfully. "I am rested enough, Your Majesty," he replied. "And there are matters that cannot wait."

Henrietta stepped closer, her eyes flicking briefly to his mask before settling on his posture. "You look steadier than yesterday," she said. "That is already a relief."

"I feel steadier," Lucas answered. "That is what matters."

Captain Varran crossed his arms. "Speak then," he said. "You did not ride all the way here to exchange pleasantries."

Lucas looked at each of them in turn before speaking, his voice calm and clear despite the weight pressing on his chest. "My squad is ready," he said. "All twelve are equipped, briefed, and prepared to move ahead of the main force."

Commander Alexander lifted his head from the map. "Ahead?" he repeated. "How far ahead are you proposing?"

"Far enough," Lucas replied evenly. "And close enough to fall back if needed."

The king studied him in silence for a moment. "You intend to be the spear," he said at last.

"Yes," Lucas answered without hesitation. "If there is an ambush, we will meet it first. If there is resistance, we will measure it. And if there is an opening, we will create one."

Henrietta frowned slightly. "You are still injured," she said. "Leading the advance is no small burden."

Lucas met her gaze. "My squad knows the Core of Dominion better than any other unit we have." He said. "We’ll be okay."

Captain Varran exhaled slowly. "Bold," he muttered. "And dangerous."

"War is both," Lucas replied.

The king straightened in his saddle, his expression firming as the decision settled. "Very well," he said. "You will march ahead of the army. Maintain contact when possible and do not engage beyond what you can control."

Lucas bowed slightly from horseback. "Understood."

Commander Alexander nodded once. "If you encounter anything unusual," he added, "send word immediately."

Lucas allowed himself a faint smile beneath the mask. "If it is unusual," he said, "you will feel it even before the message arrives."

Henrietta stepped back, giving him room. "Return alive," she said quietly. "That is an order."

Lucas held her gaze for a heartbeat longer than necessary, then inclined his head again. "I intend to," he said.

With that, he turned his horse and rode back toward where his squad waited.