Chapter 8. The Great Wall

AURELIA

“…My name is Juliana Maximus Gullermo, lieutenant of the first legion, true-born Eagle and Lone Ranger from the north!” Julian’s voice rippled past my ears as I passed my gaze from the moonless skies to the two guards standing in front of the wide-open gate of Ice Fort. The fact that they remained adamant about letting us in at this hour stimulated a different kind of pain inside me. The fact that their apprehension had even lingered for a while added a sore to my wound.

“Do you have your badge with you?”

“How am I supposed to? I have been fighting endlessly for my life for weeks just to get here.”

“…Well, if it is true that both of you have lived here once, you should have known that we do not permit entry at this hour. It is the general’s orders,” the first guard argued without even looking at us. His arrogance was apparent, especially in his poise, and the flame torches hanging by lamp posts close by outlined his chubby face and beardless chin.