The man that stood in the doorway of the tent seemed to suck all attention toward him as if he was a well of gravity. He was tall and grey with years of wisdom and intelligence settled upon him like a crown. His hair was obviously once full and dark, but now was mixed with streaks of grey and white. His uniform was not the usual grey and black cloak and armor that the officers worn, but rather was white with a deep purple and red strips with gold lining. At the moment, the uniform was spotless and impeccable, as was the man’s stance before the officers. His aura was regal and absolute but his eyes exuded grace and humanity. The small tent in the outlandish part of the wilderness did not seem like the correct setting for such a man. He deserved to be housed in palaces of marble and gold with the Glory of Kami around him. But he stood in the tent without hesitation or concern. The man’s greatness was only equaled by his humility.
“Sir,” Captain Liehold said, “As you ordered, I left the 1098th mounted battalion and preceded to the caravan to relieve Sub-Commander Jawa. When I arrived, I learned that both the Highland Priestly Order and the prisoners had disappeared and that Lieutenant Fallow here had gathered the 697th mounted battalion and pursued the escaped prisoners. After we arrived, a messenger came from the lieutenant stating that he had located the prisoners and was currently searching for the Highland Priests. He said he believed that it was the work of the priests that made the prisoners leave and gather out here. I departed as soon as I received the message and left Sub-Commander Jawa in charge at the caravan again. Upon arrival, it was confirmed that this was the work of the priests and that it would also take their efforts to return them. Minutes ago, Vorash appeared, he is waiting outside presently.”
“Did he offer an explanation for his actions?” the general-commander asked calmly.
“Sir, he said that he did not feel that the caravan offered the prisoners enough protection from the possible threats. On his own authority, he broke the confinement spells and brought the prisoners here. He did this all without authorization, consent, or even notification. He unreasonably wasted resources and man hours on his escapade into the dark and offers intolerable excuses and explanations for his actions. He-.”
“That’s good enough Captain, thank you.” The captain nodded and stepped back. The general-commander continued with a sigh, “I should have foreseen this event. The priests are somewhat unpredictable creatures, and they do not understand some of our more human tendencies and regulations. They perceive themselves superior to humans and will always believe that their own choices and views are correct. They only take orders from Kami-sama, and they value those orders above and beyond the orders of humans. He should cooperate now that I am here, though. Gatal,” he said, signaling him, “please call Vorash in.”
Gatal bowed and left, and a moment later Vorash appeared. He did not notice the general-commander at first. “Do not tell me to come and go, Captain.” He snarled. “I have important work to do. I know what you want, but know this, I will not have the prisoners sent back to the caravan until it is deemed safe.”
“Then send them back now,” ordered Captain Liehold, “the caravan is safe.”
“It is safe you say,” Vorash sneered, “on what authority do you make that claim?”
“My authority.” The general-commander added serenely, stepping forward into better view.
Vorash jumped at the voice, “General-Commander,” he said quickly, “I did not realize you were here. If I would have known-.”
“I’m sure you would have shown the captain the proper respect due to him,” Soul said dryly, “or even had obeyed his orders. As it was, you have done neither.”
“General-Commander,” Vorash said, sounding wounded, “I have only done what was necessary according to the Will of Kami. You know the burden that is placed upon all the spell casters; I did not have a choice. It was your own actions have threatened his Will! Why did you not leave enough troops to guard the caravan? You put this whole sacred mission at risk with your inadequacies. You did not leave enough forces to properly guard the prisoners, a clear act against our primary mission! I would like you to note-.”
“Yes, Vorash,” Soul interjected, “your objection has been noted and will be brought up at the next council session when we return. The council will be provided a full and detailed report about this incident, including your own failures. Tell me, Vorash, you have brought the prisoners out of, your perceived, harm’s way. But what condition are the prisoners in now?”
“Sir, all of them are present and accounted for.” Vorash said somewhat proudly.
“You misunderstand me,” the general-commander said, “I meant, what is the physical condition of the prisoners standing outside?”
Vorash didn’t appear to understand what the general-commander was asking, “Sir?”
“You see, Vorash, you are dealing with mortals, not demi-gods. They have been caged up in the wagons for months, creating muscle decay and other physical ailments. Then they have been forced to walk three leagues, something their body could not accomplish if not for the spell forcing them. And lastly, they have been standing outside in the cold and the rain for hours without any kind of protection. Any prisoner who was not sick before is certainly sick now. Please tell me how your actions improved the welfare of the prisoners.” The general-commanders voice had lost its serenity and had become stern. “Tell me how much better off they are now.” Vorash flinched under the weight of his words.
Vorash licked his lips nervously and responded, “I knew there was a risk for the captives, that some of them would probably die from this. But I also decided that the risk at the caravan was greater. It was worth losing a few humans to save the many. Anybody would agree to that. Today was simply a day of ill-fortune for everybody.”
“Your logic is impeccable, Vorash. But only if the caravan had a real threat to it, and unfortunately for you, there were never any issues with the security of the caravan. Otherwise, I would have left it with more guard.” Soul’s voice became cold and deadly and although he never actually moved his body, he seemed to oppress Vorash with his presence. “As it turns out, it was the priests that were the greatest threat to the prisoners. Vorash,” he said menacingly, “Let me make this clear to you. You are to obey the officers I have put in command in my absence as if they were my own orders. There was no threat to the caravan today, and the only ill-fortune to be found here is your own. If even one prisoner dies from this, you will be arrested under the charges of disobedience, cowardice, disrupter of the forces, and a gross incompetence in your ability to understand and follow Kami’s will.”
Vorash stepped back unsteadily, aghast, “You cannot do that, I have only-.”
“Vorash!” Soul said hotly, “You have violated several important military regulations, ignored direct orders from your superiors, and dissolved the mind-bending spell without authorization. That is enough to get you arrested and tried in any situation. I am saying that I will forgive your insolence if you manage to deliver back the prisoners in the same condition in which you took them. I am even offering to deal with the consequences to the dissolution of the mind-bending spell, something of which I am sure you are not able to do. Do you understand me?”
Vorash swallowed hard and struggled for a moment. “It is impossible to get the soldiers back unharmed.”
“No, it is not impossible,” Soul said, patronizingly, “do not lie to me. It is merely difficult. It will require the combined efforts of all your priests and it will certainly exhaust you completely. Healing and repairing are part of your spell work, are they not? Although I understand that you do not use those skills often. Those are my conditions. Will you accept them?”
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Vorash looked afraid. He tried to protest again but Gatal stopped him. Vorash muttered to himself quickly and incoherently, and shook his head as if warding off flies. But in the end, he agreed, “I will deliver back your filthy humans.” he said as if the words hurt his throat, “but just remember to hold up your end.” He left the tent without another word.
After the flap closed, Gatal commented, “It is never easy with them, is it? They always make such a terrible fuss over everything.”
“You say that, but are you not also a priest?” the general-commander said dryly. Lieutenant Fallow offered him a seat and he took it.
“Ha! do not compare me with those fools.” Gatal said, “I come from a much more excellent source.”
“I am sure. And what source would that be, Gatal?” Soul asked carelessly.
“Now, now, General-Commander,” he answered playfully, “You know better than to ask those kinds of questions.”
Soul just shook his head and relaxed a little in the seat. He closed his eyes. “Sir,” Lieutenant Fallow asked, “Is it true that the priests can do what you asked? I did not know that they had the ability to heal.”
“Yes, it is true,” Soul responded without opening his eyes, “they try to keep those abilities secret, though; they believe it beneath them to help humans. They much prefer control, manipulation and intimidation. Still, it will not be an easy task for them. it is a blow to their pride and their stamina. I believe that it is appropriate punishment for them for their disobedience. They will never learn, though, or change. If they do manage to get all the prisoners back without trouble, the only thing we have lost from this fiasco is time.”
“What about the mind-bending spell?” asked the captain, “We will have lost that too.”
Soul opened his eyes and sat up, “Yes, that is true and that will require a little more delicacy when we reach the city. I will have to figure out a way to save the prisoners’ lives when we get back.”
“What do you mean?” asked the captain.
Gatal answered, “Because the spell was interrupted, some of the prisoners will not take to the indoctrination well. Generally, when that happens, the irregulars are simply killed.”
“There will be a large number of irregulars this time,” Soul added sadly. “I will not have them die simply because of the ineptitude of our priests. I will have to talk with the Highland order council when I return. It won’t be too difficult I think. They will be much more easily swayed when they learn that it was one of their own priests that messed things up. They will also owe me for taking care of the matter quietly and without formal punishment.”
“Is it really that big of a deal that the spell was broken only a few days before we return?” The captain was getting lots of answers right now; he was going to get as much information as possible.
“Sadly yes,” Gatal replied, “I don’t want to explain the intricacies of it right now, but during the last few days of the spell, several important closing subparts go into effect and help secure the minds of the captives.”
“It is true that we will be returning soon, then?” Lieutenant Fallow burst in excitedly.
The general-commander smiled, “I see that rumors have spread around camp. You will be happy to know that it is true. Depending on how well the priests do their job, we will be back within the week. And actually,” he said standing up again, “we should be leaving this place soon as well. Rests are nice but I do not have the luxury to take long ones. Come Gatal, let us see if our priests are working hard yet or not. Captain,” he said, turning to the man, “The priests should be ready within the hour, I will make sure of it. Make sure the troops are ready as well.” Gatal bowed to the officers and the two left command tent.
“Thank Kami this is over.” Fallow said after they left, “I’ve had enough mess for one day.”
“Do not jinx it!” the captain responded, “The prisoners are not back safely in the holding wagons yet. Plenty of things may go wrong yet.”
“But they won’t! Not when the general-commander is around. Everything turns out well when he is around. Did you see how he handled Vorash? He got him to do exactly what he wanted without lifting a finger. That man is godlike!”
“Do not say such things!” the captain said, suddenly harsh. “I know well his praiseworthiness, but do not go too far with it. Kami-sama, you know, is a jealous god. Do not say such things even in jest! They could be misunderstood.”
“You are right. I was careless.” Fallow replied, admonished, “But still, we are lucky to serve under such a man. There is no one like him in all the lands.”
The captain nodded in agreement. “We should get ready as well. Gather your officers and get the battalion prepared to depart.”
“Yes, sir,” Fallow was all smiles and he added enthusiastically, “We are going home soon, sir!”
The captain laughed, “Yes indeed, and the sooner home will be when we get the mounted battalion back on its feet. You heard the General-Commander, we will be departing within the hour.” Lieutenant Fallow saluted and then left with a rush. The captain lingered a second and left as well. He took the lantern from the tent with him.
Lieutenant Fallow did not have to go far to find his officers. They were in a close circle not far away, talking. When they saw him, the marshal strode out: “Sir, we have tried everything we could think of, but it is hopeless. We have not found anything that will effectively move these prisoners. It simply cannot be done without the aid of the spell casters.”
The lieutenant smiled at him, “That is okay; thank you for your efforts. The spell casters have been found.” A noticeable relief fell over the men like a soft blanket.
“As for now, Marshal!” the lieutenant said, “gather your squad leaders and tell them meet us at the Headquarters for instructions in ten minutes. Corporal-Adjunct,” he said to another, “call in the perimeter line.”
“Sir,” the Corporal-Adjunct asked, “You want to dissolve the perimeter line?”
“Yes, the battle is over and the threat is gone. With the help of the general-commander, we have secured the help of the spell casters and we will be departing within the hour. In an orderly fashion this time.” He added with a smile.
“Sir, so is it true that the general-commander was here?” one of his men asked.
“Is here.” He corrected, “He and his bodyguards are with the spell casters, I believe. I spoke with him myself, and he assured me of a just resolution to this mess. He also confirmed the rumors of our departure. We will be home within a week!” The men cheered at this.
“It’s about time,” the marshal said.
“Ah, to be home again,” another reminisced.
“Forget, home. I’d be glad to simply be out of this wilderness,” the lieutenant said. They all laughed. “Alright, you have your orders Marshal and Corporal. Get to it!”
The two officers left with much more spirit in them than the lieutenant had seen in weeks. “What should we do sir?” the remaining men asked.
“You should find the captain. He will have work for you to do, I am sure.”
“Yes, but before that, you said you spoke with the general-commander sir?” The lieutenant nodded. “What was it like?” one of the en inquired.
Fallow thought for a moment and then replied, “It is hard to describe. It is like he is from a different world, one greater than ours. The way he carries himself and the way he commands. He has absolute confidence in himself and his men. He knows things beyond my imagination. I do not think I am describing this right. It is like he has broken the walls between mortal and immortal and has become something greater. He is an enlightened man.” He shook his head, “You should ask the captain; he has a better way with words than I do.”
“Will do sir,” they responded. Then they left, all but one at least. He was staring at something in the mass of prisoners.
“Something on your mind?” the lieutenant asked.
The officer shook his head, “I do not know. I thought I saw movement in there. But I do not see it now…”
Fallow studied the prisoners as well. They looked the same as before. “I do not think the priests have started their work yet. They shouldn’t be moving.”
“I know, but I am sure I saw movement in there. Somebody was moving around.”
Fallow studied the men again. “It is dark, and you are tired. You might have just been seeing things. But if you believe it, I will let you gather some men and investigate.”
The officer thought for a moment, but concluded, “No, you are probably right. I am pretty tired. I will report to the captain.”
“Take it easy.” The lieutenant said as the officer left. He saluted back and then was gone. Fallow was left alone with the prisoners again. They still gave him the creeps. He looked at them again and then turned away. Of the many reasons to get back home soon, getting away from these prisoners was most important to the lieutenant. He pulled his cloak closer to him. It had stopped raining, but it was still wet, cold, and windy. “Kami-sama,” he said, “when I get back, I am never going to leave The Endless City again.”