The lance on Nara’s back remained in place as her spine curled to the pace of a deep breath. Her head began to fall but it was embraced by her open palm. Fingers residing on her temple, slid back and forth across. “Just like that I’m being dismissed?” While the other arm hit the table by the elbow, extending for an explanation.
“Yes. To be precise,” Nif paused and leaned into the conversation so that it became a secret “you’re being fired.” He jumped back from his seat, overshooting his original posture. “We don't have the funds to go through a,” Nif paused again this time raising both eye brows, almost falling from his seat, “’dismissal’,” finally returning to an upright position placing both arms on the table, hands folded together, ”procedure at this point.” Nif finally acted the part of his title. “Hell!” He leaned forward with a little laughter, “any guild could run us out of town in our current situation.”
The robed man, adjacent to the two lances, jumped quickly into action, “but that doesn’t mean the guilds services won’t be at your disposal while you are in Sim.” Cree slowed down and handed Nara the guild’s official separation. “You have been a great War Chief and we hope to work with you in the future.” ‘The Voices of Crest regrets to inform you…’ it read, Nara looked down at the document, sinking with her eyes to the bottom of the page. A seal in red was stamped onto the signature, M. Asure.
“Thanks, Cree. Did this have to do with the battle at Sanctum?” Nara asked.
“No, no. Everyone was impressed with your parties work.” Cree and Nara glanced over to Nif leaning into the table, ready to tell another secret.
“But the battle at Salem was a wreck,” Nif’s armor began to absorb the table invading the two’s declared territory. His plated arms rustled and a smiling mug spoke, “that battle of yours at Sanctum made Hiran look like a fool! Haha!” Nif flew back off from the table, brushing into Cree’s arm with his return. Cree flinched, dropping his staff. Nara’s elbow was no match for the generals ability to make furniture dance, she escaped back to her side of the table, arms crossed. “So it was determined cuts would be needed to stabilize the loses.”
“Who will lead my lances?”
“Hiran! Haha!” Nif continued to jiggle in his chair, Cree smiled faintly, and Nara emptied her seat, advancing on the table space with a grip on opposing edges.
“After his failure at Salem!” The table was hers. The two were silent. Cree collected his staff then himself.
“It was determined Hiran’s failure was due to his soldiers,” Cree spoke with a less timid tone then before adjusting his enigma. “Disciplinary actions were taken as instructed so the guild could take a loan from the Church.”
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“And my success was due to my soldiers?” Nara rolled her head from Cree to Nif waiting for the generals response.
“Glad you are getting use to the politics. Better late than dead!” The general jiggled with his words. His excitement was not demeaning but certain as he moved back into his chair with folded hands on his edge of the table. ”Try to keep this lesson in mind for your future opportunities.” He looked at the lance that stood before him. “We’ve seen what you can do, you’ll be fine.” Nif’s white mustache migrated up his face by half an inch on each end, eyes smiled shut.
“I quit!” Nara throw the papers into the air and laughed. Nif joined from his seat while Cree, immune to the contagion, frantically collected the document before its pieces could reach the ground.
“Nara please at least use the guilds…” The priest tried to get a sentence in but neither lance gave him room to speak.
“Keep your resources. You will need them more then me with Hiran around.” Nara made her way to the entrance of the adobe structure.
Cree and Nif said there final goodbyes to the lance. The door closed behind her. “Haha. She may have a point.” Nif adjusted his remarks to the next task. With a hand on his chin pacing back and forth with his thoughts, “How should we prepare for Hiran?”
“With half the number of troops I’m sure.” Cree looked defeated. “I could have convinced her to stay until his integration. Make it a smooth transition.”
“Well that wouldn't be abusing the trust the poor lance had in her commanders now would it?”
“She would have a place to stay and deal with her situation among…”
“Among those that want to keep her close by until they feel her purpose here had run out? No. I have a couple of ideas about what will happen to us with Hiran. Lets drag as little members as possible.”
“Still not sure what we are suppose to do with his arrival.”
“Hope for a miracle. Haha!” Nif’s laughter shout out with glee. Outside in the swelter, Nara made a quick turn as if an old friend called her name. All she saw was the wall of tan colored earth, disguised as buildings, blocking out the sky. The squished design was mimicked in the congestion of the gray stone streets.
“You’re blocking the route!” A passer, dragging a two wheeled carriage, yelled to the lance. Nara shook her head and continued with the crowd through the city of Sim.