Chapter 111

Two carts were bracketing the procession of the guard.

One was full of the dead, each wrapped in the blanket they had been issued with their gear. On either side of the wagon hung the banner of the Ashenrealm.

The other cart was full of dead goblins positioned at the rear of the convoy.

Together, they framed the returning soldiers like some garish counterpoint to the victory.

Yet still, the people cheered.

Riley could not rest within the rucksack. The rhythmic yet jerking motion of Svad, mixed with the morning heat and schedule whiplash, conspired as a set to make her miserable.

She could tell that Tobias fared no better.

"I say again, this is hardly necessary. I have pressing business; allow me to ride ahead," Tobias insisted as people cheered, gathering at the roadside to watch the show

"Ranger, this is the last time I will be slapped for my kindness. I told you last night, and I have told you multiple times this morning, that you will be given the honor you deserve, or I will complain to your commander directly," Captain Quinn snapped.

He nodded from underneath his hood and pulled his cloak closer, the only form of protest he had left.

"As you say, Captain," subconsciously, his hand drifted to the hilt of his sword before returning to Svad's reins.

"Riley, next time we make up a story, veil through the lines and return home that way," Tobias projected, having gone from frustrated to fuming.

"Agreed," she nodded.

"That's better, try to enjoy this. These are the people you have saved. They need to know these things," Quinn's easy demeanor returned.

Tobias only sighed.

"Yeah, we should have veiled and snuck out. It's always better to ask forgiveness than permission," Riley commiserated, feeling sick.

"Billeting us in a dead man's tent, insisting we sleep, and then ride in with the company. This isn't about me or the people. This is about the Captain. This is politics," Tobias spat.

"You're just figuring that out now?" Riley's tone was sour, in congruence with her mood. "That Captain is bucking for major, and now he's got a Ranger on a tether for the next few hours at least."

Tobias groaned again. "Two Rangers, but I take your meaning."

They rode on in sullen silence as people pointed, stared, and cheered. The crowds only thickened as word spread, and they neared the city until, upon arriving at Ashenvale, the march had become a full parade.

"Drop the hood, son, let them see you," Quinn ordered.

Riley could feel the defiance bubbling up within him.

"No...sir." He spat the words as if they were two different, malevolent sentences, dripping with disdain and frustration.

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"Then I'll have a talk with your commander after this is done," Quinn said, never breaking his smile, waving to the crowds.

Riley felt the coldness build up in Tobias like a wall, as memories of being bullied and forced percolated like rising waves within their bond.

Suddenly, the seas calmed, then froze, as a realization dawned, like the sun breaking through the clouds.

I'm not just a student anymore...

Riley's ears perked as the realization fed a new fire of defiance.

"You do that. I'll make my own report, of course," Tobias replied.

"Oh, we will see who has more weight. I'm not an enemy to make, friend," the Captain continued, reaching over to grip Tobias' shoulder.

The gesture seemed friendly, but Riley heard his armor creak.

"I suppose we will. Let's see, interference in an official investigation, delaying a King's official in their duty. It might start as a report, but it could end in charges. I wonder how that could affect your advancement?" Tobias wondered out loud.

Quinn stiffened, then let go. "If I had only known you had pressing matters..."

His smile became strained as Tobias interrupted.

You did, I made this clear multiple times. Now, am I dismissed, or should I wait to make my report?"

His tone hit with all the force of a slap from a gauntlet.

The war of words continued as the crowds remained ignorant and adoring, tossing out flowers and flower petals before the victorious soldiers.

"You're dismissed, I thought we could be allies. Make no mistake, this will be remembered," Quinn threatened.

"I do not like bullies, nor being used. You remember that, Captain," Tobias dropped his hood, letting Quinn catch every bit of intention held in his withering glare.

Tobias pulled at Riley's side of the magic, conjuring a veil, slipping Svad out of formation, down through a gap in the common folk, and moving down a quiet side street before reappearing.

"Was that smart?" Riley asked.

"I have no idea, but it was necessary, and it'll let me get ahead of things with Sabine at least. For all his valor, he's a scheming social climber," Tobias spat, putting his hood back up.

"Remember, keep an eye out if you can. We're back in the city, so we aren't safe," he continued.

"Says the man that was just burning zombies and reporting the movements of a Goblin army," the hare quipped.

"Which should tell you something," Tobias replied wryly.

Riley considered his words. "Fair."

Racing through the streets, with Svad charging hard down the lane, carriages made way, and people clung to the edges while the shops of Ashenvale went by in a blur.

Guards cried out as if heralding their path, "Ranger coming! Make way! Make way! In the name of the King of Ashes!"

The cry relayed, just ahead of them, clearing their path until finally, they burst into the stable, startling the stablemaster off his stool.

"Oh, good morrow, Ranger, I heard a victory parade was to come through," the kindly man asked.

Tobias tipped him a few coppers. "It may, but I have pressing business, if you'll excuse me."

Vanishing again, the man looked around and shrugged before attending to Svad. "Let's get you cleaned up and fed a good meal."

In minutes, they were back in the basement. Riley let out a sigh, now gratefully back on solid earth, with Sabine standing before them.

Tobias, without preamble, launched into his report.

"Wait, the Blue Devil had one of our com crystals?" Sabine interrupted.

"He did," Riley confirmed with a nod,

"At least, one tied to the King's Guard. There's no indication our network is compromised. I understand it to be separate," Tobias added.

"Still, that's not good, and again points to someone high up, helping the enemy. You keep bringing me bad news. I'll look into this, personally," Sabine replied.

"We may have brought you more trouble still," Tobias swallowed hard, explaining the parade.

"So Quinn's a grandstander?" she said at the conclusion of their report.

"It seems a common problem. Will there be consequences?" Tobias asked.

Sabine laughed, "You're my subordinate, not his, you were temporarily attached, and they'd have to go through Ranger Central to court-martial you. You're fine."

"This is sounding like a common problem," Riley surmised.

"You two are still green, so those outside your chain will think they can bully you, and this time, he almost got away with it. We're trained and expected to be independent. Next time, check in with a guard, then vanish before they can summon the brass. I'll cover you," she grinned knowingly, "Now follow me."

Leading them to a room opposite theirs in the basement, she threw it open to reveal multiple stacked wooden boxes.

"What's all this?" Tobias asked, boggling.

"These are the records you requested. They came by wagon a few days ago," Sabine explained.

Tobias regarded them with a grim kind of joy. "I think I'm going to be busy."