"Sergeant!" I jerked my head up. "Yes, sir?" I looked down the table at Jandar, the only name we knew our 'boss' by. Jandar was a Valkyrie, a part of a race on this world called Valhalla. The Kyrie were a human-like race with a few major differences; not the least of which being the large wings on their backs. They also were inhumanly beautiful, graceful, and all those other things that humans weren't. The Valkyrie was the name given to the Kyrie that drank from magical wellsprings, of which this war was over. Jandar asked, exasperated, "Did you just hear anything I just said?" I grimaced. I hadn't. And it was no help that one of the most beautiful Kyrie sat next to me. Her name was Raelin, and was ridiculously gorgeous. As if anybody needed such good looks. "No, sir, sorry."

Jandar sighed. "I would like to send you on a mission," I slumped down. I had just finished my last mission just yesterday, which was to fetch him a glass of water while he met with another Valkyrie, by the name of Vydar. He saw me and a slight smile appeared on his face. "No, it is a little more difficult and dangerous than your last mission." Now, I straightened, interested. He continued, all business, "I will be sending you with a small task force to a place where we have reason to believe another wellspring is located."

I raised an eyebrow. "What reason?"

"Utgar sent in a small troop from his army into the swamp." Utgar was another Valkyrie. There were a total of five Valkyrie. Jandar, Ullar, Vydar, Utgar, and Einar. "I sent a small group to follow them and then destroy them. Four Vikings and their leaders, Thorgrim and Finn. None returned. We think either Utgar has found another wellspring, or he is building a fortress. The latter option is highly unlikely, seeing as the swamp is always shifting and would destroy any buildings in construction. First, will anyone volunteer to go with Sergeant Drake?" I glanced around. Nobody stood, except Raelin. I started protesting, "I can't take... Er... I'll take 4 people from my team, the Elites! They can fight and-" She glared at me with her beautiful blue eyes. "And you think I can't?", she asked, angrily. It was fascinating to see her angry. If it hadn't been so captivating, my argument would've been stronger than, "Uh... Er... Well... No... But-" She was still angry, but amused too. "Fine." I growled and sat back down. Jandar was stifling a smile, but was definitely failing in his attempt. "Good! Now, Ullar has offered two of his elves to help you, Sonlen, who you haven't met yet, and Syvarris. You remember him?" I grinned and nodded. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all! Syvarris was my favorite of all the elves. He wasn't stuck up like the rest of the elves. He was kind, had a sense of humor, and was a terrifying archer. I wouldn't want to get on his bad side. "Also, after meeting with Vydar, I shared my plan with him. He will send Major Q10, a soulborg, and the Krav Maga Agents. Will that be good enough?"

I nodded again. "Great, now-" Someone shouted outside the door, "Sir! Einar approaches from the West! He carries the white flag of truce!" Everyone, excluding Jandar, shot out of their seats. He looked thoughtful, then rose slowly. "Sergeant, come with me. Raelin, Kelda? Please alert Ullar and Vydar." Raelin and Kelda, another Kyrie, bolted out the door. Jandar swept out after them and I followed him. He kept up a brisk pace, but I found I could keep up. Jandar sighed. "Someday, I'm going to give that herald a new job. He seems to think that I must be alerted about everything that goes on in this castle! He would probably alert me if a bird flew overhead and a dropping landed on his head!" I stifled a smile. We reached the front gate, which was being lifted so Einar, his flag bearer, and 3 samurai could walk in. Jandar and Einar walked toward each other. The three samurai followed closely, all glaring at me. I stayed close to Jandar, glaring back. They shook hands and went into a room, closing the door. I stood by the door, one hand on my sword hilt. Ullar and Vydar walked up. Ullar smiled at me kindly, while Vydar scowled coldly at the samurai, who glowered defiantly back. They knocked, and Jandar let them in. For an hour, we waited, nobody relaxing, nobody talking, barely a sound.

The door opened softly, but everyone heard it. All tensed. Einar came out with a smug look. Vydar was still glaring, just not as coldly as before. Now, it was more suspicious. Ullar and Jandar walked out last. Jandar cleared his throat and announced, "Einar has decided to join us in the fight against Utgar!" There were cheers, but not many people were entirely relaxed. "You may all go back to your regular activities! Sergeant? Do you have a moment?"

We waited for everyone to clear out, and then Einar said, "I was told about your mission to the swamp. I would like to say two things. One, watch out for Marro." I raised an eyebrow. "Marro?" He nodded, continuing, "Yes. You remember the first battles? Those skeletal creatures with the cannons are the Marro Warriors. An elite group of Marro." I remembered.

"There! On the hill! What are those?" Soldier Holler pointed. I looked over. "I'm not sure, though they look like Utgar's work! Let's get them!" My soldiers and I sneaked up the hillside. Suddenly, a ball of hissing goo flew past me. I yelled, "They spotted us! Let's give them all we've got!" My soldiers cheered and starting firing our rifles back. Soldier Holler ended up beside me. There was a hideous laugh as another ball launched past me, hitting Soldier Holler. He screamed, dropping his gun and trying to swat the goo off. It slowly burned him, and I had to look away. Minutes later, the Marro Warriors were scattered over the hill. I glanced over at Holler, but quickly looked away, swallowing the taste of bile at the sight.

"Yes... I remember those..." I admitted. Einar nodded. He must have a habit of doing that. "There are three more species of Marro that Utgar has summoned. The Marrden Nagrubs, wolf-like Marro, Marro Drudges, and Marro Stingers. They are all very dangerous in groups, but if you split them up, they are easy to defeat." I nodded. Darn. He was rubbing off on me. "Now, the second thing, I will be sending one of my ninjas with your team." I stiffened. "That is completely-"

"Unnecessary? Yes, I know. However, she does know how to destroy the Marro." I jerked, probably giving myself whiplash. "She?", I asked coldly. Einar was either deaf or ignoring my reaction. I hoped it was the first, though the second was more likely. "She.", he responded with finality. I thought about throwing a tantrum, just to see the look on his face. But I couldn't. "It will be an... honor... to have her with us..." Jandar stifled a grin. Einar ignored the hesitation, nodded, and swept away. The samurai and flag bearer followed briskly. I rolled my eyes at them, while they glowered. I turned to Jandar, who was trying to be serious, but having difficulty. "You really should respect him. He just wants someone to keep an eye on us and on Utgar. He doesn't trust us yet." I turned and muttered, "Good. We don't trust him either." Jandar sighed. "You leave tomorrow. I already had someone pack for your group. Good luck." He turned and walked away. I heard his footfalls slowly fading and then I was alone. I sighed. I couldn't plan, because I didn't know who our team would have to fight against. All I knew was to split them up.