“General.”

The sharp tone stopped Sengkolo's hand mid-tap, his quill hovering above the paper. A patch of ink covered a portion of his notebook's page. The war room attendees studied him, their expressions suggesting that he had been called several times.

Sengkolo raised his sight gently. Attached to the board behind the speaker were maps of various regions of Firdha Ridge that bordered Nadin Strip. Sengkolo drew a slow breath, preparing to ask the speaker to repeat his presentation. Kustari saved him the trouble by handing him her notebook.

The room was silent as Sengkolo read through Kustari's tidy writing.

Sengkolo turned to the speaker again. “I demand an evaluation of the case with the Eightieth Legion,” he said. “Replace their commander and retrain them harder, immediately.”

The speaker met the general’s gaze. Sengkolo squinted at each of the attendees, who began writing on the paper before them.

“Ensure that the Prowler-Bolts who have successfully ambushed the enemy recon force are properly appreciated,” Sengkolo said. “Let their families have the riches, honors, or benefits they deserve for their bravery. Supervise the process threefold, so that the rewards reach them whole.”

The meeting proceeded.

“Regarding the giants, general,” the speaker said. “The PNS demands the reason behind releasing the pair that the Thirty-Fourth Legion Group managed to hold captive.”

Sengkolo raised his right hand in front of his mouth, his thumb rubbing against his index. The other generals in the room curiously stared at him. His right foot tapped the floor repeatedly. Kustari was about to speak for him, but Sengkolo halted her. The general stood from his chair.

“It's intentional,” Sengkolo said, a conviction evident in his tone. “Because the Eightieth Legion have to atone for their failure.”

“Please elaborate,” the speaker said.

“Isn't it in our tradition that we have to be responsible for the mess we made? By failing to repel a kun skimmer incursion, the Eightieth has tarnished the reputation of the PNS. It was meant to be their punishment.”

“That's reasonable, general. However, by releasing those Praskovian giants, you have further compromised the security of Nadin Strip amidst the kun skimmer season. You should be aware of this when you decide to release them.”

A drop of sweat trickled down Sengkolo's forehead.

“I have written to the Eightieth Legion that it's their duty to contain the giants upon their release, should they become a threat,” Sengkolo said. He then gestured at his wife. “Kustari can show you the documents shortly after this meeting. It was a sheer fortune that those giants didn't wreck anything when they were released.”

“Yes, it's fortunate indeed.” The speaker cleared his throat as he glanced at the paper in his hand. “Still, the fact that you consciously approved an action that could endanger the Sultanate…”

Sengkolo frowned. He crossed his hands behind him and strode confidently toward the speaker. The latter seemed undeterred.

“Listen, major general,” Sengkolo said, glaring at him. “If there's no risk, there's no action. Look at the bright side. Did those giants cause any inconvenience to our people? As far as I know, they are able to destroy tens of kun skimmers easily. Does that sound like an issue to you?”

“No, but they could cause another issue.”

“But they didn't.”

“But they could…”

“Even if they did, the matters could be resolved through negotiation, accommodation, and compensation for the parties who suffered. What we need is a memorandum of understanding to ensure that the giants did nothing to harm our interest.”

The meeting room was silent. The generals looked at each other. Sengkolo slowly broke away from the major general, the clanking of his boots stiffened the air.

“However, that's a topic for another meeting.”

The major general studied him for a while. He then nodded, though reluctantly. Sengkolo half-smiled.

After the meeting, Sengkolo withdrew with his wife to a personal quarter allocated for them. Sengkolo locked the door thrice before pointing at Kustari.

“Revise the content of my directive letter to the Eightieth, immediately!”

Kustari opened her notebook and began writing. “Add in a statement that you want the Eightieth to contain the giants upon their release?”

“Correct. Then find a willing, and able, freelancer at An Dolan to…rectify things.”

“Right away.”

Sengkolo inhaled deeply before collapsing to the bed. He covered his face with his hands and sent his gratitude to the Almighty Three. Destruction of a legion by an enemy they were trained to repel would be a dire humiliation. He released the bound giants to appease the other giants who had saved the Eightieth, opening a path for communication. He was lucky that the giants didn't stir up any commotion, other than those due to their presence.

He still couldn't believe that they could wipe out two flocks of kun skimmers with ease. Though there's a legion of witnesses, his thoughts remained restless.

Was this an answer from Vahsani for enduring His promise? He certainly could use the giants’ power, throw them against the walls of Lone-Thong, and watch the city crumble in minutes.

But would his people approve of that? They probably would — whatever it is to get rid of Great House Thong and end the war. The issue was, they would then rely on the giants for protection, disregarding him and possibly the PNS.

There was no guarantee that the giants could do better than him. Also, the notion that he, who had been leading the PNS in the defense of the Sultanate for more than sixty years, would be replaced by a bunch of Praskovians who had just arrived in Mananggal was outrageous.

Sengkolo felt Kustari latching on him. Her arms were wrapped around as if he was her pillow.

“Why are you still here?”

Kustari raised her head. “Don't you want some relief?”

“I won't be relieved if you don't handle that letter immediately,” Sengkolo said, slapping Kustari's rather generous thigh. “Go!”

Kustari picked up her notebook and headed out of the room. A moment later, he decided to do the same.

Sengkolo strolled to the citadel battlements, thinking of alleviating his head. News from the brave volunteers of Operation Perilous Probe would help, but Vahsani was often demanding with His promise.

The wheeled bastion was parked on the hill across the fort, dominating the evening skyline with its dark juniper grandeur. Sengkolo inhaled deeply as his attention shifted to the mobs surrounding the bastion, who were fervently throwing rocks at it. He thought of rewarding the cohorts involved in keeping the angry crowds at bay.

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The three human giants stood just outside Fort Njempalik. They too were given the same rough treatment by the locals, though one of them, who had pale brown hair, kept staring at the citadel like nothing was happening.

“Sir,” an officer suddenly appeared from the door behind.

“What's going on down there?” Sengkolo said to him.

“Actually, sir,” the officer said. “Regional officials wish to see you at the reception. Perhaps it has something to do with it.”

Sengkolo said nothing as he withdrew from the battlements. He navigated through the fort's tight hallways. A door suddenly opened, almost hitting him. The soldier behind the door saluted him with a frightened expression. Sengkolo closed the door himself before indifferently saluting him back — his only reply.

At the reception hall, Sengkolo shook hands with the regional officials.

“The giants’ wagon trampled over local farmlands,” the official said.

Sengkolo looked in confusion. “Why do you bring this issue to me? My role is in the security against hostile armed forces.”

“With due respect, general, you speak like you have been living elsewhere. Whenever it comes to giants, of course, the people would resort to the armed forces.”

“But these giants aren't deliberately targeting the people, are they?”

“You could say the same for the kun skimmers that have eaten our harvest.”

“False,” Sengkolo said, his voice growing irritated. “You can't tell the kun skimmers to stay away from the farmlands without an armed confrontation, that's the difference. Now go and seek out your local Agricultural Departments.”

Another officer approached him. “The giants want your immediate attention, sir,” he said.

“Sir.” Yet another officer approached him. “Fort Nungging needs immediate resupply,” he said, handing Sengkolo a scroll.

Sengkolo turned to him. “I've told Ning-Ersi's command to take care of it two weeks ago!” Sengkolo said, raising his tone.

“The garrison commander claimed that they haven't received anything.”

Before Sengkolo could say anything, again, another officer approached him. “The Sultan wants to meet the giants, sir.”

Sengkolo frowned. “Denied! I have to approach them first to make sure that they're safe.”

“He’s already on his way, sir.”

Sengkolo placed his right palm on his face. Fumes billowed from his head, tightening his left fist.

“Prohibit him from entering Nadin Strip!” Sengkolo said to the officer.

The general then returned to the regional officials. “Tell the people that Great House Pawon will compensate for their losses if, and only if, they leave those giants alone!”

“Send another convoy to Fort Nungging and make sure they update daily to my aide!” Sengkolo said to the other officer.

“And you!” Sengkolo pointed at the officer who had told him that the giants wanted to see him. “Inform our guests that I will be with them in several hours.”

The officers looked at each other. They saluted him indifferently before withdrawing in their usual manner. The regional officials were the last ones to leave, their faces looking doubtful.

Sengkolo retreated to a barrel suspended on a frame. He grabbed a mug and opened the barrel's faucet, filling the mug with water. Sengkolo then sunk to the nearby couch and took a deep breath.

His lips were touching the mouth of the mug when an officer approached him. Before he could say anything, Sengkolo raised his hand. The general only let him speak once he drank the contents of the mug.

The officer told Sengkolo that the next meeting was commencing. The general asked him for ten more minutes, but the officer insisted that he attend immediately. Sengkolo ordered him to seek Kustari and inform her of the meeting. He reluctantly rose up from the couch and headed to the war room with quick and wide strides.

Before he got there, Sengkolo stopped at the personal quarter to pick up his Kawi. He stroked its smooth leather cover, adorned with an intricate calligraphy of Akk-Soro.

He read the verses on the page that he opened at random. The verses themselves, the way they were written and arranged, were already boons to Sengkolo's distraught mind. Such was the privilege of those who could read Their signs.

“Praise the Three…the Holy…the Almighty…”

Sengkolo flipped through the pages, skimming the subsequent verses. A glimpse of a verse stopped his hand. He read it carefully:

Say to them: ‘Can ye bring The Heralds from amongst ye then if ye are truthful?’ Nay. We had sent them hundreds before in times of need, but they never listened. We stiffened their hearts and blinded them to the truth.

Sengkolo came up with an idea. He closed the Kawi and put it back on the bed with care. The general met his wife in front of the door to the war room.

“Summon High Pandhita Ariffin Aran Fasih Fikih Lan Mimpin once this meeting is over,” Sengkolo said to Kustari with the utmost suppressed tone.

Kustari whispered in return. “I can summon him now to inform him ahead of time.”

Sengkolo gazed at his wife's eyes. She was just as dazzling in her sorcerer robe as she was in the dress she wore to the anniversary party of Great House Pawon. But her field robe fit her best. Its feminine decorations spoke of elegance, courage, and intellectual accolade.

“Do it.”

Kustari nodded. “I'll be absent from the meeting for the first several min–”

“Do it!”

Kustari rushed past Sengkolo. The general brandished his right hand to slap her bottom part.

The other generals looked at him as he entered the war room. The table at the center was now draped with the map of Enri Shores. Sengkolo joined the others in deploying the wooden soldier miniatures, in accordance with the reports that were laid over the map.

“The Pilgrim Road that leads to the Great Cahyani Basin was our best bet to minimize our losses. Great House Thong didn't put any defenses there. We probably only need to deal with a couple of wild creatures to clear a path for the Imperial Artillery Divisions.”

“They were undefended for a reason. The enemy believes we won't use them, and indeed we shouldn't! Lone-Thong’s blasphemy against the Almighty Three was the reason the pandhita was on our side. We must not betray their support.”

“How about an attack on all sides? We can pressure and exhaust the enemy forces. Then, we'll use the combined arms of the Empire and the Sultanate to make a breakthrough.”

“That process will take a long time. It's unlikely the Emperor would agree to the notion of his best forces suffering for a prolonged time in an attritional war that isn't his own.”

“We must first push our enemy away from Al-Banna. We wouldn't want Imperial ships supplying their army to be harassed by a bunch of enemy boats who strayed too far. We can use the excess conscripts to do the task, and help them gain experience as well.”

“Yeah, but you are sacrificing their loyalty. They're in the PNS to ‘defend’ their land, that was what's stated on their contracts. If we prolong their service duration while also mobilizing them to the Al-Banna frontline, it'll be obvious that we're involving them in the war. We'll end up with a mountain of desertions which could endanger future operational prospects.”

The chatter in the war room proceeded. The generals were quick to exhaust their voices. When the whole room was silent, all eyes were fixed on Sengkolo, who was as still as a statue. After briefly studying his staff, Sengkolo opened his mouth.

“The solution is evident all along, gentlemen,” Sengkolo said. “We'll use the giants.”

Everyone in the room looked at each other, astonishment shone from their faces.

“General…we accept any external support to win the war, but we must win the war ourselves. What do we have to say to our ancestors if we didn't?”

Sengkolo leaned forward, meeting everyone’s gaze. “I want you all to keep this a secret,” he said, raising his eyebrow. He continued once he made sure everyone nodded. “We’ll have them march toward Lone-Thong, the city, and clear out whatever hive resided beneath. Then, we’ll collapse the tunnels. We’ll mop up the rest of the Great House Thong forces ourselves, and make it look like we have won the war.”

A deafening silence ensued.

“The giants aren't popular enough, though. You have to make the people trust them enough to employ them against our enemy.”

“The giants aren't popular, yet.”

Suddenly, an officer burst into the war room.

“Fort Nungging is under siege!” he said.

Praise the Three…the Holy…the Almighty…