I've wanted to write this part of the story for a while now. I've hinted at the relationship between Badr, Esra, and Vartan and hopefully, it's what you all imagined.

I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 22: Two Soldiers Part 1

—Badr's POV—

"Did you hear, old man?"

I just hum as the young soldier beside me starts to fidget. It's still odd to think about him being considered young and myself not. I mean, really? I just turned twenty-one. What's so old about that?

"Our units pairing up with the assassination unit," he whispered in a hushed tone.

"Really," I remark, faking interest. He nods nervously. "That rumors been around since I was drafted. Don't get so worked up about it."

I lean back on the ground to watch the sky. It's more interesting than what's going on here.

"So the rumor is as old as dirt then," jokes another soldier. "You've been here, what, seven years?"

"You've been here six," I snap back. He just smiles cheerfully. "Shut up."

"Badr!"

I sit up as the commanding officer, a member of the Dragul family addresses me.

"Try to set and example," he warns before looking towards Doran. "I need both of you to come with me."

"Yes, sir," I mutter. Dragul just rolls his eyes at me. For a man born and breed for military work, he's rather relaxed.

"Three more years, Badr. That's all you have left."

I wait until we're out of ear shot for the unit. Dragul oversees the unit I'm in and many others. Doran is first in command for our unit, and I'm second.

"Three years too long," I remind him. "At the rate I keep getting injured, I'll barely be able to make a living when I get back."

"You're a fisherman, correct?" I nod in response to Dragul's question. "Don't worry about that."

"Easy for you to say," I mutter. Doran elbows me, but he's thinking the same thing. He was a miner back home and will probably have it just as bad as I will.

"We have a new set of missions coming up. There's a special unit working with us. The head is coming today to get a feel for what you all can do."

"Would it happen to be the assassin unit," joked Doran with a hint of seriousness.

"Yes."

I stop dead in my tracks. That's not a good sign. The last two units who actually worked with them never made it out alive.

"Sir-"

"It wasn't my choice," sighs Dragul. "Especially not with who they sent. Just don't piss him off."

"Shit."

Doran elbows me again as we go into the tent.

It's bare bones in here. Just a small desk and chair with maps strewn everywhere.

"You really should clean up the place."

I turn towards the source of the voice. The man aimlessly looking at the maps is tall. He's also pretty massive with a lot of bulk. All muscle. His hair is a curly dark gray and he's tan. Not what I was expecting.

"These the two?"

He turns towards us. His eyes are a dark gray and scan us up and down. The corner of his mouth twitches as if he's amused by us.

"And what's it to you?"

Doran groan and Dragul give me that look. The one asking what the hell is wrong with you.

"I like you. What's your name?"

"Badr."

"Vartan."

Vartan holds his hand out so I shake it. Dragul looks ready to punch me.

"How long have you been in?"

"Just over seven years. You?"

"Since I was a kid."

"Makes sense. I'd think it takes more time to train as a killer."

Vartan starts to laugh as Doran smacks me upside the head. Dragul is cursing me under his breath.

"You don't have a filter, huh?" I shrug. "I think this will work out pretty well then, Badr."

"Hope so. I'd like to make it home."

"Well then." Vartan turns towards Dragul calmly. "What's the job?"

"Well…"

Dragul looks between all of us before grabbing a few maps. He lays them out on the table.

"There's a General coming from Reim that needs to be taken out. The plan was just to send Sham Lash-"

"Yours truly," interrupts Vartan.

"To take him out. That won't work, because of the timing and other more active targets. The plan is simple. Travel around the upcoming battle and strike behind their lines."

"Doesn't this seem overdone," I ask. "Why can't he manage this on his own?"

"He's not going to handle the general. He has a Fanalis guard. Great with a sword and absolutely lethal. Vartan will be handling him. Badr, you're going to take out the General."

"Me?"

Dragul nods. This isn't something that I like. It's one thing to fight against other solider like me, but I don't walk out there with the intention to kill. Just to make it out and back home.

"It will be fine," remarks Dragul. I don't fully believe him. "He's the enemy, Badr. It's what needs to happen and you're one of the best swordsman we have. There aren't many that we could send."

"Alright." I can feel Vartan watching me.

—Vartan's POV—

I have a feeling Badr's going to be a problem.

We leave tonight for the mission and he won't stop fidgeting. His hand keeps twitching for the hilt of his sword and his breathing is quick. In some ways, he reminds me of my one older brother.

"We going to have a problem?"

"Don't know."

I curse under my breath. This isn't what I needed right now.

"What do you mean by that?"

Badr glances my way and narrows his amber eyes. He's honestly the least intimidating person I've met, but my opinion is a bit skewed. He's young enough and a decent looking guy. Maybe he's got a girl back home that he's worried about not making it back for.

"Where's home?"

Badr hesitates his fidgeting. He doesn't trust me.

"We have time before we move. May as well chat."

"Tison Village."

"All the way out there." He glares. "That's the middle of no where."

"Oh," he snaps. I was wondering what it would take to get him to snap. "And where the fuck are you from then?"

"A country that doesn't exist anymore." Badr falters and raises a questioning eyebrow. "Partevia came in and decimated the place before taking the leftovers. I happened to be a luck one and got special training."

"I don't buy it."

"Really?" He shrugs and looks away. "How many Partevian's have you met with gray hair and eyes."

Badr just scoffs at my question.

"I'll take that as no one else." He rolls his eyes, but there was enough hesitation that he considered it. I cross my arms over my chest and sit down. Might as well enjoy the calm while I can. "You have anyone waiting for you back home."

His shoulders squared again and he glares with a lot more fire in his eyes than before.

"Do you ever stop asking questions?"

"Answer this one and maybe I will."

He mutters some more swear words under his breath. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he sits down too.

"My parents and siblings died when I was young. I've been on my own for a while."

"So no one."

"Well…"

He gets a slightly pained look on his face.

"There's a girl back home. I knew her when we were young, but not that well. She had some health problems and I was just trying to survive. She probably doesn't remember me."

"But…?"

"When I make it home, I'm going to try to marry her."

"How cute."

"Shut up!"

I just chuckle. He doesn't realize how lucky he is.

"You'll get home." His eyes scan me carefully. "Some way. Your girl have a name?"

"Esra. Why does it even matter to you?"

"I don't really know." I smile as he glares. "Just trying to calm you down enough so you don't give me trouble tonight."

Badr makes an offensive hand gesture before glaring and turning away. He seems more relaxed. Let's just hope there are no hiccups.