The rhythmic tap of a metal pencil is the only sound in the war room. The room has a similar layout to the one in the palace, a horseshoe-shaped table for us to sit around and ponder. But unlike the war room in the palace, the wooden table and chairs stand out like a sore thumb in against the violet crystal walls and flooring.

Around me are Commanders, all here to wait for news about the western front. Some Commanders are in charge of the defence of towns and cities, others protect whole provinces.

None of us speak to each other, only glaring at one another as to not break under this torturous silence.

There is no need to know the thoughts that rush through everyone’s mind, thoughts of who we are fighting against, of why they are doing this.

I’ve heard rumours and reports from my Scout Master about the Dogs building what seems to be a supply chain, transporting raw resources and my people as their slaves to their camps.

I fear the Dogs from Dragon Mine are already up north on the edges of the Galire Desert. Well, that is according to rumours.

But if they are up that far north, they could have possibly freed three or four mines and maybe two plantations that held slaves. That is too many Dogs to face.

But it is all rumours, it could be nothing. Well, nothing too serious. There is also nothing coming from Mindas, Ol Shire, or even Fort Galis. The Commanders that represent these areas are not even at the war meeting. Where are they?

Before I can think of an answer, the door opens. Everyone rises from their chairs to face the man who enters the crystal war room. Commander Earl has five scrolls with wax seals on them. They have not been opened. These must be new reports.

Behind him follows Commander Kaval, Garrison Commander of Ol Shire, a decorated man in chains, his clothes ripped and dirty. The guards escort him to the middle of the room to drop him to his knees.

Rommel sits down on his chair, overlooking everyone. ‘You may be seated.’

He opens one scroll and reads it in silence while I sit down. I fidget with my fingers, waiting for the news that could come from the reports. I dare not imagine what horrors from the. reports

He coughs to clear his throat. ‘Here it is stated that the relief force sent to eliminate the slaves of Dragon Mine, have failed. We have wasted the entire force of four hundred men.’ He pushes the scroll out of the way to read a different one.

‘Here, it is stated that the town of Mindas is lost to the slaves, and the garrison force of over six hundred soldiers, under Commander Jackie’s leadership, have suffered a major defeat.’ He slams the scroll down onto the table. ‘Tell me, Commander, how in our Gods’ names are you still alive? Explain to your superiors your cowardice!’

Kaval looks around the room, his eyes squinting in pain. ‘The Dogs of the western wheat belt have revolted. Commander Clyth and I tried to end their rebellion. But-‘

‘But what?’ Rommel shouts as he crunches up the scroll in a fiery rage.

‘We couldn’t fight them all. We were outnumbered and outflanked in every theatre. No matter where we were, they always had the advantage. They would ambush us during our marches and run away if we mount a defensive formation. It didn’t take long before they got to the Shire.’ He pauses, his voice calm yet full of sorrow. ‘I organised the town’s population and most of my army to flee on merchant ships, after which myself, and my men who choose to stay behind set the entire town and the harbour ablaze. We couldn’t let them have the port in case they choose to head north.’

An old Commander rubs his long white beard. ‘So, how did you escape?’ He says in a raspy voice.

‘We followed the mountain range and ran to Mindas, but by the time we got there, they’d taken it! The field was covered in bodies. There was so much blood. Oh Gods, there was so much.’

‘Quit the pity party!’ Rommel yells at him. ‘These reports don’t paint an accurate picture of the reality of this war. These reports exaggerate the death toll of our forces. In fact, you downplayed the deaths of the Dogs. As well as their strategic capabilities.’

The entire room erupts into chatter. I freeze in horror. He can’t be serious! How can you say that when you have the reports right there?

‘It doesn’t matter about the accuracy of my reports. I am telling the truth when I say we are not killing enough of them!’

Rommel throws a scroll at Kaval’s head, knocking him over.

‘Your reports are misleading! My scouts have reported that even when we are defeated, the slaves have faced similar, if not worse, casualties than our own.’ Rommel stands up, overlooking the room.

‘While it is true, we have lost the northwest, by my reports the rebellion forces are on their last legs. So, I am not bringing any more support from the north, as I can safely say that we will emerge victorious.’

‘You can’t do this!’ I raise my voice as I jump out of my chair.

‘Why not, Regali? They are a disorganised group, and there is no evidence that the Dogs from different mines are working together in an orderly fashion.’

‘Regardless if they are or not. We are fighting the populations of four mines, all of them full of Dogs. We need the support from the north to deal with them.’

One Commander rises from his chair to speak out. ‘I agree! The south doesn’t have enough manpower to tackle the Dog threat. We need the north’s help to handle them!’

The man with the long beard slams his hand on the table. ‘Don’t be stupid, each mine only has a rough population of five thousand Dogs. Do you really think all of them can fight? Barely any of them can comprehend what the sun is!’

‘It doesn’t matter! We don’t have enough to deal with them!’ I shout at the old man.

‘A few hundred Cinari can wipe out thousands of Dogs without any struggle Regali! Are you blind to the facts?’ The old Commander shouts back.

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Kaval looks at the old Commander in anger. ‘You are a fucking moron to think they are that easy to kill!’

‘Silence!’ Rommel commands. ‘While I will not demand the services of our Empire’s army from the north. I have ordered the services of the Dragon Fleet and Pretorian guard to help soften them up for our main force to liberate the region. The Dogs won’t stand a chance once the fleet arrives.’

My stomach turns, a fiery anger burns inside of me. This can’t work, the fleet won’t be there for the entire war. Even if they wipe out a good majority of the Dogs, we still need enough soldiers to take back our lost lands.

‘Earl, this won’t be enough. We still need to have enough soldiers to defend our cities and regions in case the fleet isn’t enough. We need more men to handle this crisis,’ I argue.

Rommel gazes at me, frowning at my words. ‘That would be your own problem. While I understand your concern, and I can empathise with you. You have the power to recruit from the local populace. You don’t need men from the north to garrison your city.’

I open my mouth, but the long-bearded Commander shouts to interrupt me. ‘Don’t you have faith in your own military, Regali? It seems like you doubt the Empress’s finest warriors. They are just slaves; there is nothing to be scared of. Or are you a coward? Unable to deal with minor threats?’

I want to speak out, but there is no point. I sit back down in silence. Continuing this will ruin my reputation. Even if I am right, I can’t lose my cool.

‘Then it is concluded.’ Rommel waves his hands to the guards as they pick Kaval up to escort him out of the war room.

‘When I have any news on the western theatre, I will summon you back. Not all is lost; we have kept them in an isolated part of the island. Let us keep it that way. For now, get back to your stations!’

He bangs the gavel on the table. As we all move to the exits, fear accompanies my mind. I need to rethink the defence of my city.

I head to the small garden outside of the building, a place far away from the war room.

Dammit! By the Gods, dammit! I can’t defend the city with the soldiers I have at my command. How can I even defend a street with that force? Is it even possible to win with no support from the north or the wider Empire?

I pace back and forth in front of a purple crystal statue of a man holding a large orb as he looks down at me. On it is a raven with bright blue eyes, crowing and singing its insidious songs. In frustration, I pick up a pebble and ditch it at the statue to scare the bird off, only for the little rock to bounce off the statue like a rubber ball and hit the side of my arm.

‘Shit! Dammit! What can I do?’ I shout at the statue in frustration.

‘Not throwing rocks at me would be a good start,’ a familiar voice speaks in a cheerful tone.

I turn around to see the Shaman smiling at me.

‘I didn’t think a young Commander like you would be so prone to anger.’

I straighten myself up to look professional. ‘I’m sorry you saw that. Things have been difficult as of late.’

‘You don’t need to tell me twice.’ He turns to face the crystal statue. ‘The war has taken a bloody turn. The Dogs are doing well against the Empire.’

I frown. ‘They haven’t faced the wider Empire, only parts of our military.’

The Shaman chuckles. ‘They are still winning, and you can see it.’

‘How so?’

‘You wouldn’t ask for support from the north if you thought you could win. Luckily, you are not the only one with this opinion. You put up quite a show in the war room, Volas, and it speaks to who you are.’

I take a step back. How could he have known what is said in the war room?

‘What are you saying, Shaman?’

‘You are afraid of them, and you know what they might do.’ He taps his stick on the ground, as the world around me goes dark, leaving only the statue and the crow being visible in this strange world with me and the Shaman.

‘Which is why I need to talk to you in person. Why do you fear the Dogs?’

I keep my posture, doing everything I can to hide my rising fear.

‘They are organised, dedicated, and determined to destroy civilisation. With what we have here, they can easily take over the south.’

The Shaman pauses, considering my words. ‘You fear them on a military level. There is more to fear than how they fight. You need to understand why they fight.’

He reaches his hand to grab onto mine, but I take a step back to keep my distance.

‘Why are you telling me this?’ I ask him, my voice nearly cracking in fear.

‘Because you are the only person who can save people from the onslaught that will soon come. You are the guardian of the webgate and who gets to go through it. But war, war has a cost, Volas. And one day, you will have to pay for it.’

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a silver necklace with a blue gem attached to the chain. ‘Which is why I need you to succeed.’ He offers the necklace.

I reach for it with reluctance, scared for what it might be. With a rush of bravery, I grab the piece of bland jewellery with my eyes closed. Nothing.

I look at my hand clenching the necklace and see only a normal, boring necklace.

‘This will keep you safe from harm. A gift from me to you.’ The Shaman says.

He taps his stick on the ground and the darkness swirls and rushes back into his staff, bringing us back into the material world. I freeze in fear, speechless from the entire ordeal.

He winks before heading off.

‘Before you head back to your city, Volas,’ he stops himself. ‘To understand your enemy, it’s best to see how they live.’

I frown, confused by his statement. They are savages, brutal yes, but still beast. What more is there to understand about them?

I look at the necklace, considering his words. Maybe there is something to learn. Something important.