Maybe they fear its power? But the Weapon is for them and them only.

Perhaps I’m getting too immersed in its development that I ignore how it affects them. Do they think me someone who would turn it against my people just for some perceived slight? No, I wouldn’t. And it’s time I let the people know that, so that they may be soothed by the Weapon’s presence, instead of afraid.

-From The Last King of Elneshe’s 8th Note.

Dolish polished his daggers in the back of a cart, a mundane one this time, with Brigadier Ishtan sat in front of him. Even dirtied and tired, he had a look about him that fit his rank. He watched as Dolish cleaned the blood off of his dagger, setting it aside and setting on another piece that looked brand new.

“I’ve got to thank you, General Venastian. You reacted quicker than I would’ve thought,” Ishtan told him.

“You’re welcome. I know commanding so many troops at once can be daunting,” Dolish told him.

“I envy your skill with the power. But without it, we wouldn’t have been able to catch them hitting our supply lines.”

“How much of the food did we lose from the shipment?” Dolish asked.

“Not much at all. We’ll have plenty for winter, or so I hope.”

Dolish grunted approvingly. There couldn’t be a single smudge on those knives be the time he was done with them, even if one looked carefully. But Dolish kept rubbing. Perhaps it was to distract himself from conversation, or perhaps it was some other reason.

How long has it been since I commanded my own troops?

Too long by his estimate. At this rate, they’d grow listless, unfocused, maybe even start fraternizing too heavily. He shouldn’t allow that. Yennel has been going on enough campaigns for two men of his rank. Maybe I should bring some of mine to him?

The cart rolled across the grassy field, until it hit something solid and Dolish knew they were back in the camps. He looked away from his daggers, outside the window and into the rows of tents and buildings that made up the camp, and breathed a sigh of relief.

He stood up immediately, sheathing his daggers and pushing open the door to the carriage.

“Wait, Venastian! Why not stay for a while?” Ishtan offered.

“It’s appreciated, but I’ve got work in the camps,” he replied, hopping off and onto the stony dirt. People gave him a wide berth on the roads as he did, while Ishtan stared for a few moments before continuing.

Dolish walked with intent towards the Lieutenant General’s office. He had to admit to himself, part of the reason he wanted his troops there was to check what the man himself was like. And whether he would prove a useful piece to the Armon in the war.

He made his way across a crowd that seemed larger than life. He’d seen similar processions before, but the size of it made him think he was in a city rather than a battlefield. He walked intently, crossing the roads until the crowd thinned and he reached the barracks and offices. Soldiers trained in the fields, Bladeborn ran drills, and people shouted orders near in front of formations.

Dolish smiled as he walked past the scenery. Every single part of the army, harmonized in their tasks, moving like a singular entity. He kept that thought with him as he walked into Yennel’s tent.

Inside, he was surprised to find the Lieutenant General missing. Is he outside training? Dolish wondered, walking deeper in and looking at the numerous decorations that he’d put up. There were medals and honours so numerous that they filled an entire row of the shelf by themselves.

There was a table fixed at the back of the room, a lush brown chair sitting beside it. The top of the table was littered with numerous documents, from reports and queries to something as mundane as the menu for the next week. Though something in the middle of the pile caught Dolish’s eye.

Letters. He could recognize them by the format. Far as he knew, the Lieutenant General had no one back home who he received letters from. So what was it doing among the pile? Curiosity overtook the old general and he ignored the rest of the furnishings in the room.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

Instead, he walked towards that pile and took the letter in his hand.

After the fall of the capital, Arneshal seems to have spent the remainder of his life in war. I can’t find the records of his and his general, Legosia’s, deaths, but I think I’m getting closer. If I cannot venture into the ruins of that capital, you should offer yourself for the next campaign.

And stay safe during the venture. There’s something in there that doesn’t let most people leave alive.

A sound of tents flapping and Dolish turned around to find Yennel staring back at him. The lieutenant general darted his eyes between Dolish and the letter in his hand, gulping.

“Oh, you’re here, Yennel. I wanted to talk with you,” Dolish said, and the face of the man seemed to relax. He coughed into his hand.

“Sorry… I wasn’t expecting visitors today,” he said, moving over to his own table and placing his hand on the letters there. He slid it behind himself as he smiled at the old general, which caused Dolish to raise a brow. Is he trying to uncover the secrets of the ruins?

“Were you corresponding with an archaeologist?” Dolish asked.

“Ah, yes. It was supposed to something of a private interest, though,” Yennel replied, flashing another smile. Dolish had to admit, he was a charming fellow.

“Anything that could help us reach further into Sanasira is something that the Armon himself should know of, Yennel. Have you discovered something of that nature?”

“Regrettably, I haven’t. But you have my word, Venastian, that I’ll be the first to bring it to His Sharpness’ attention as soon as I do. Now, about that request you were speaking of?”

Dolish folded his arms.

“Your soldiers here are practiced. I was thinking that you could take mine along with yours in your next battle. It could help them with practice,” Dolish asked.

“I… don’t think that I’d be the right person to give them that, truly,” Yennel replied.

“Don’t fret, Yennel. My Bladeborn are more resilient than you think.”

“Bladeborn…” Yennel muttered, “Yes. If you think I’m the right person to command them. How long would you want to transfer them for?” he asked, turning aside his curly brown hair as he did.

“As you see fit, Lieutenant. If some of yours are tired from the war effort, you could substitute mine in their place,” Dolish answered.

“Now that you mention it, I’ve got a rowdy bunch of Afterburners and a Soulweaver or two who could use the rest. Thank you, I’ll use them to the best of my abilities,” he said. He saluted Dolish, but it seemed a bit forced to the old General.

“I’ll bring over the head count for each division later,” Dolish said, saluting back and exiting from the man’s tent with an itch still in his mind. Why did Yennel want to hide the letters so badly? Was there something else in the capital that he wanted? And is he the only one after them?

He’d been focusing on Yennel too much, he knew. Which meant he might’ve overlooked something being done by the other generals and ministers. This was something he’d have to investigate. Because his work was never done, not until he knew that all threats against His Sharpness were eliminated.

****

Rozu walked back into the camp to find his responsibilities for the next few days had already been decided. He was just about to lay down on his bunk and close his eyes, even after the extended rest he’d taken back at the forest, when he saw a familiar duo near his tent. Minister Fersh stood with a pensive look, while Fezashi had a smile plastered all over his.

“I’ve got a trip to Latren coming soon, Rozu. I want to entrust Fezashi to you for the duration,” Fersh asked. Fezashi walked out with a smile on his face, something that irritated Rozu more now. The boy stopped in his tracks upon noticing the glare Rozu was giving him.

“Are you okay?” Fezashi asked. Okay? You think I’d be okay after what I’ve gone through?

“Sorry, minister, there must be someone else you could pick,” Rozu said.

“But I want you to be there!” Fezashi whined.

“I’m not really ready for that kind of work. We just had a skirmish a-”

“No, but you can heal it away! Right, Rozu? Come on, I won’t be a bother, I promise!” Fezashi asked. His father looked a bit distraught, holding him back from shaking Rozu.

“Come on, Fezashi. We can ask the Brigadiers for another assignment instead,” he said, but the boy jerked his arm away and grabbed Rozu by his uniform.

“I swear, just this once. I won’t ever ask for you again, I promise,” he kept saying, shaking Rozu over and over until the man finally cracked.

Rozu used what bewl had come back to his pool, lifting up the boy as easily as he would a feather.

“I said I’m tired, brat. Now LEAVE ME ALONE!” he shouted at him, uncaring for how loud his voice sounded through his enhancements and how it echoed. Fezashi covered his ears and the people around them stilled. Some soldiers who were passing by also stopped, and Rozu found himself the centre of attention once more.

Damned Formless. He set Fezashi down onto the ground slowly, making sure the boy didn’t hurt, but he kept his hands firmly on his ears.

“Fezashi, can you hear me?” Rozu asked softly. The boy wouldn’t look at him, which made him feel hurt. Why do I care? He was the one who wouldn’t leave me alone. But thinking of it didn’t make the emotion go away. He wasn’t a Commander, after all.

“Fezashi…” he asked again, the boy finally responding. Tears streaked down his cheeks and the minister pushed him away, knocking Rozu onto the ground and away from Fezashi. His anger returned in full form, but for some reason he didn’t move. He just stood there motionless while the minister scooped his son up in his arms and held him close.

“It’s alright… You’re okay, son…” he whispered the words to him while Fezashi hugged him back. When he was done soothing him, he turned to Rozu with a hateful gaze.

“I’m reporting this to your commanding officer,” Fersh said blankly.

“Whatever.”

“And don’t ever come near my son again, understand?” he added.

“I won’t, trust me,” Rozu spat. The minister turned away from him and left the battlefield, while Rozu felt a weight settle into his bones. Confusing, since he knew for a fact his bewl was still working.