His men and women worried. “But what of our families? Our children?”

And Legosia told them the bitter truth.

“Arneshal would not have let us see them besides. We carve our own path now, towards a greater end!”

His men, who had followed their Remont unflinchingly before, continued to do so. The east would become their territory, and a brutal war would shake the country to ruination.

-From the 9th Chapter of “The Remont of Elneshe”

Alef held another blood vial in his hand again. He held it close to his eye, examining the liquid inside.

“Just drink it already!” Saeda admonished him. She had her legs up on rock and was watching him.

“I will! It’s just… it isn’t a woman’s this time, is it?” Alef asked. She gave him a deadpan look.

“Does it matter when you’re out there?”

“It changes how I see things! The blood has to come from someone like me, or I can’t focus on what I’m doing!” Alef complained.

Around Alef, other Devourers were testing out the blood. Some of them reacted positively, floating in the air on their newly conjured jets. Others froze or lashed out. Vaness was there to record it all with a pad in her hand.

“Alef. Either drink the blood or pick someone else’s. I’ll note this one down as unusable for you,” she lectured him.

Alef was thankful. Saeda gave him a sideways glance, but he didn’t care. As long as he didn’t have to practice with that kind of blood, it would be fine.

Beyond the training area, Afterburners patrolled. Though they’d only brought a few with them, those few served their function well. They landed among branches, keeping their sight towards where Ravenishtan had set up its camp.

Alef had trouble sleeping so close to the camp. Even a single slip up could mean their destruction. But he trusted the General, and he hadn’t steered him wrong yet. So, Alef stomached the fear.

****

Borne sat on a tree with his brother right beside him.

“Jerre made these much more interesting, don’t you think?” Borne complained.

“Jerre was quieter than a caterpillar,” Bark replied.

“It’s not what he said, Bark, it’s what he was. Say you don’t miss him, dare you.”

Bark sighed.

“I do. But that’s exactly why we need to focus,” Bark told him.

“Think the Armon even cares whether Dolish made it or not?” Borne asked.

“I don’t think he does. Best we can hope for.”

“Why even stay up here, then?”

“Because Mortici might not care, but Yennel certainly does,” Bark replied.

They spent the rest of their time in the trees in quiet. Borne had to admit, it was serene. Jerre would’ve loved it. Night hit them slowly, and Borne and Bark both dropped down into the camp proper.

“What are we going to tell Raisha’s husband?” Borne asked. They didn’t know the man at all. The Planar had preferred keeping her private and public lives separate. But now that she was gone, the onus was on them instead.

“I don’t know, Borne.”

****

Dolish woke late into the day. The cold air made his body all the more lethargic. Looking at the light shining into his tent, he cursed himself. He’d usually be up earlier than this. He pulled himself out of his ramshackle bed. He put on his military coat, tied his boots and opened the flaps of his tent.

Light filtered through the canopy, illuminating the camp in patches. Dolish stood amazed of the progress they’d made. In only a few days, they’d gathered so many more Bladeborn for themselves and the camp had expanded by a fair few structures. Bewllan hung inside of their tents, and soldiers milled about around the camp.

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Everyone that Dolish could sneak out of the camps stood here. The majority of his men were still back at the camp— however— and they needed his leadership.

He walked across the camp, saluted by his men. They knew as well as he did what the day brought for them. The Armon’s deadline was only a hair’s breadth away.

They should’ve woken me earlier. Why would they not? Dolish wondered. His honour guard approached after him, coalescing one by one.

Borne and Bark. Afterburners he’d trust with his very life.

Vaness, his assistant, without whom he’d never have been able to organize an army of such size.

Saeda. The quiet but confident Planar. In the little time he had known her, she reminded him in many ways of Raisha.

And Alef. A nervous sort, but to whom Dolish owed his current conviction. Bishan had been right about him. He should’ve listened sooner, for even someone so young held a crumb of wisdom Dolish had yet to achieve.

Gathered all around him, they saluted one by one. Dolish felt proud of them for having taken him this far, and guilty that he had lost two close confidants on the path there.

“You know what we are to face today, correct?” Dolish asked them all in a line. They nodded.

“I’ve followed you so far, Dolish. Doesn’t seem right to Shan to leave you now,” Borne told him.

“And I need to make sure my brother doesn’t do anything stupid,” Bark added. Borne glared at him, though the older twin ignored his expression.

“I will make sure the camp stays undetected in your absence, sir,” Vaness said.

“We’re at your command, General,” Saeda spoke. She elbowed Alef, who nodded profusely.

“Right. What Saeda said. We’ll do whatever you command, General!” he told him.

Though his voice was shaky, Dolish sensed the sincerity in his words.

“Thank you. You had no reason to follow me, and yet, you did. I swear on my Form I will not reappropriate that trust,” Dolish told them.

From behind the honour guard, more soldiers had gathered around. They lined up in formation behind the honour guard, and mimicked their salute. Dolish couldn’t have asked for more commitment had he tried.

Dolish waved his hand in front of him. Planars moved to the front, opening a portal that led out of the forest. The lines of soldiers marched through the enlarging portal, until finally their general crossed through.

****

The portal opened up to the edge of a particularly large mound. It hid the forces Dolish had gathered, and overlooked the plains leading up to Sanasira. In the distance, Dolish could see the mountain range surrounding the city. Its story had been stretched for far too long.

The General stood in wait for a while, until more portals opened up besides him. through them came soldiers, some of them looking wounded. Dolish focused his eyes on the woman at their helm. Amarna had soot covering her face, and a curt expression besides it.

“Lieutenant General?” Dolish was about to ask her. She raised a hand in front of him instead.

“The battle started sooner than we would’ve thought. Phasgorian troops attacking the camp. I’m only here to deliver you your troops before I return myself,” she said, wiping her face with the back of her hand.

“Where is the Armon?” Dolish asked.

“Bastards were clever. Only attacked when the entire army had left. We’re putting up a good fight, but I’ll need to be there if we have any hope of winning,” Amarna told him.

“Then it’s already begun…”

Dolish turned his gaze from Amarna to behind himself. His camp was being attacked.

Yennel planned for this, didn’t he? He knew what I’d choose. Dolish clenched his fist. He’d have to reroute back to the Ravenishtani camp before coming over to Sanasira.

“I’m not a Commander, but I can see what you’re thinking. Go to the field, Dolish. I’ll handle the camp,” Amarna told him.

“Fine,” Dolish admitted with some hesitation. “May your Form guide you, Amarna.”

“You as well, General,” she gave him a salute.

She left the command of his army under his control once again. She’d brought him soldiers, cavalry and Bladeborn. One of the soldiers led a horse towards the General, handing off the reins to him before moving back into position.

Dolish patted its mane, then hiked on top of the animal. He looked across the field towards his gathered forces, and beamed his Commander aura for all of them to see.

Men and Women of Ravenishtan. Heed my call! You all have come here against the direct orders of His Sharpness, Armon Mortici Feranz. For those of who who have had no say in the matter thus far, I give you this choice.

Turn back now, and keep your allegiance to your ruler. Or stay with me, fight against the canker that infests the very heart of our nation, and save it from the desolate fate Yennel intends to bring!

Not a single person spoke up against the General. They stood in quiet reverence of Dolish. He was glad for it. Some shied away from his gaze as it passed over them, but even those few did not turn tail and run. He found within them, the kind of Form he should have taken from the start.

He let them think only for a few moments more. And then Dolish boomed again.

Then we fight for every single child of Ravenishtan. For every soul that Yennel threatens with his treachery.

He seeks but one goal, the Spear of Arneshal that has been coveted by both nations. That which has driven us mad this past year, for no better reason than the power it represents. You are the singular force that stands against this corruption.

Now, answer, soldiers! ARE YOU WITH ME?

He shouted into their minds with his full force. Shouts rose from every corner of the gathered army, reaching to the skies with their sheer sound. Soldiers cheered and clapped, and Dolish turned his steed towards Sanasira fully.

Then let us march onwards!

As he extinguished the field once more. Borne and Bark floated beside him, while Saeda and Alef walked on foot. Another portal opened in front of them, much larger than the last. The numerous Planars did their best in its creation, leading the entire army through closer to the edge of the mountains.