Chapter IV

William, commander Karl Payne, and a silent man that judging by his demeanour was dead loyal to his superior, had been travelling by four days already. The road, in its rough and poorly condition, wasn’t appreciated by their mounts, who jolted and snorted heavily in protest, which in turn created a terrible experience for their riders. At the umpteenth jolt, they were forced to slow down, even if the commander insisted on reaching their destination in the shortest possible time and was clearly displeased by that decision. However, even him, in all of his greatness and experience, couldn’t have forced a mount that refused to move another inch forward. “All right, you stubborn animal.” said Karl as he dismounted in a graceful and experienced motion. “The sun is almost all the way down, and the horsed won’t cooperate any longer. Let’s camp for the night right beside that giant walnut tree and prepare dinner.”

“…Shall I scout ahead? I don’t think bandits are stupid enough to assault us, if there any, but…” asked that silent man.

“Yes. I don’t think bandits, or anyone for that matter, is going to disturb us. Still, caution could never be enough.”

“Understood. I’ll be back soon.”

The man then gave his horse a light touch with his foot, causing it to start galloping. “Sir…” said the man in a grave tone.

“Yeah?”

“Keep an eye on him.” said the man indicating William. “He’s up to something. That little bastard will try something.”

“Don’t worry about it. Now go! And be back for supper.” answered Karl, while dismissing his accusation with an exaggerated wave of his right hand. He didn’t know that William had indeed thought many times about trying his luck and running away in the middle of the night. One night he had even convinced himself that dying trying to escape would be better than dying while enforcing other people’s will upon the land.

But, exactly at the moment he was about to carry out the mad plan to escape, the promise that he had made with Marygold on the day of his departure, and which he had sworn to keep at all costs, suddenly came into his mind, stopping him in his tracks. And he couldn’t have been any luckier, as he hadn’t realized that he had always been under the watchful gaze of that silent man who exuded a dangerous aura. If had went through with his plan, he would have surely died in heartbeat

William, after the fateful night in which he had given up, had tried to decipher that man, to understand if he represented a danger to his safety. After all, he wanted to keep that promise, he had to be always on guard. But no matter how many times he had tried, he always hit a dead point.

That man, whose name was still an unknown, was like no one he had ever met in his brief, but full of experiences, life. Even if his body or height weren’t something unusual, he still had a certain aura, not so different from that of the commander, that guarded his being from anyone brave enough to try and invade his privacy in a hopeless attempt to decipher him. “…Alright.” said the man as he turned around, looking at William one last time. In that gaze with brown irises was channelled a not so veiled threat that William immediately understood: Don’t try anything stupid or I’ll kill you.

William, who had lived too much for his young age, kept on staring at him even when his figure had become a distant and blurred shadow. If that man though he could intimidate him, he was dead wrong. Even though he realized that he absolutely didn’t possess the military experience that he had, nor the expertise with combat weapons, he didn’t feel the slightest fear. After all the pain he had gone through, only relying on himself to endure it, he understood that showing fear was equivalent to dying. In fact, a clear image was already forming in his mind in which he was holding the knife he had strapped to his belt. He could already imagine how he would fight, how he would cut the…

The booming voice that echoed in his mind made him return to reality. His eyelids opened and closed as he slowly recognized the figure that was standing in front of him: Karl.

In the brief moment in which he was lost in that fantasy, Karl had already unpacked the supplies from the horses and had begun preparing the bedding for the night. “…Stop standing still while staring into nothingness. Help out instead. We have to prepare everything for the night and daylight is something we don’t have a lot of.” said the commander as he stared right at the young man.

It didn’t take more than a few moments to understand the situation. “…He won’t harm you. He’s loyal to me. Deadly so.”

“…Why? Doesn’t seem like the type to serve someone to me.”

Karl chackled. “I guess his appearance would make you think that way, won’t it? Well, you’re not exactly wrong. In the past he used to be someone else. But that life has died many years ago. And that was what has been born. A deadly mix of fighting ability and unshakable conviction.”

Then he stopped for a brief movement. “He won’t harm you if I don’t order him to. Obviously I can’t do anything if you attack him or act in a way that would provoke a violent reaction.”

William looked him straight in the eyes, as to leave no doubt about the words he was going to speak. “…I’m not going to cause trouble. Of that you have my word. But let me say something while I’m at it. I won’t hold back if he’s looking to start a fight. That is never going to happen.”

Karl begun laughing heartily, as his hairs stood up struck by a gust of wind. When he finally stopped, it was almost like the seriousness of William’s words had not touched him in the least. “I know you don’t fear death, young man. Whatever it’s thanks to the sheer stupidity of youth that you seem to perfectly embody, or some other thing, I don’t have a clue…”.

Taking a step forward, the commander looked seriously at the William. In his eyes no traces of the joyful demeanour were left. “I do know however that you seem to lack the fear of death that is common to every human soul who walks the land. I’ve understood it the moment my eyes met yours back in town. It was clear as daylight that you had none. How else could you have attacked a guard, being well aware of the punishment you would inevitably face? That, among other reasons, is one the things that had…convinced me to intervene.”

“So what?” said William confused.

“…What I’m trying to say is this: you won’t face some half-trained thug or guard. Out there…” his hand pointed toward the vastness the was all around them. “Men will kill you in some brutal ways if you let them. War is a beast, a cruel and sadistic one at that, that won’t ever tolerate whose who think they can survive by taking it easy. If you wish to survive long enough to even consider coming back home, you’ll need to learn fast. Very…fucking…fast. That man has been by my side for a looong time, and he has seen is fair share of battles; trust me, you would surely die if you were to cross swords with him in your current situation. That’s guaranteed.”

William didn’t reply. He knew that, as much as he had tried to deny it, the commander was right. And yet, even knowing this, he wouldn’t have hesitated even for a single second if he had to confront that man, whose name he still ignored. What? Was Karl convinced he could shape William’s mentality? Was he hoping to change his mind with that little story? Well, he was dead wrong.

“…What’s his name?” asked William as curiosity got the better off him. If he was so strong as Karl had depicted him, then his name was worth remembering.

“…Edward Corwell was once his name, though by now that part of his life is well behind him. You can address him as Crow. Still, be careful. Try not to start shit.”

That was everything he needed to know. Finally, he had a name to vent his anger. Finally, he could…

“Anyway, enough fooling around with useless chatter. We have a duty to attend to, and I’m fucking famished. So, let’s get to it, shall we?”

The time for chatter was over. Now they had to mount up camp for the night.

For the next hour or so, Karl had dedicated his time to clearing the space where he ultimately decided he would set the beddings up, all the while he made sure that William followed his commands without grumbling. The fireplace, which was assembled by grouping together some dry twigs inside the dedicated stone circle William had constructed, had been light up, warming the chill breeze that was blowing over the valley.

Sitting on a nearby fallen tree, watching the fire dance its lively rhythm, William took the bag where the supplies were stored and grabbed some vegetables that Karl had requested prior. It seemed like they were going to eat another bowl of steaming hot soup that warmed the bones, but that didn’t offer much beside that small comfort. Such was the life on the road, he guessed.

In the moments that followed, Karl took all of that and washed it in the crystal-clear waters of the small, almost insignificant river that flowed downstream; after rinsing them thoroughly, he went back and tasked his young recruit of cutting them into small pieces with the knife he allowed him to carry around his belt. It was the very same blade that William had used to brutally assault that beast that had tormented the townsfolk for years, and it was given back to him by none other than Karl.

William did not understand exactly what that gesture was meant to signify. After all, who in their right mind would do such a risky gesture? He had mistakenly thought that it was some kind of test, to see if that small and sharp object had given him the necessary mental strength to attempt an escape. Was he dumb enough, and maybe even reckless, to start a fight he would certainly lose? Almost certainly yes, but that wasn’t what Karl wanted to know. He already knew that William had a screw loose when he heard what he had done to end in the gallows. Did he have the strength to resist the impulse he would surely feel as his hand grasped the handle of the blade? Again yes. But even that wasn’t what Karl was searching for. Eventually William reached a simple conclusion: Karl hadn’t give him back his knife because he wasn’t wary, or because he didn’t consider him a treat. He wasn’t a fool. He had given back his only weapon for the sole purpose of making him realize that his very existence was in his hands. When he understood that, he also understood that had no choice but to fight if he wanted to come home.

“Are you done?” asked Karl as he finished setting up camp. William blinked rapidly his eyes as the recollections that had clouded his mind faded back into obscurity.

“…I…no.” said William after a few seconds where he came to terms with the situation he was in.

“Then hurry up. After we’re done eating, we’ll go straight to bed. Tomorrow we’ll depart at dawn.”

William simply nodded. Then, after a short while, Crow came back.

As he threw William a side glace full of distrust and tiredness, he nimbly dismounted his stead, who had a shortness of breath. To William that a was clear sign that he harried back. For what reason, he had no clue.

“…Did he cause any problems?” asked Crow as he bringed his stead near the others, who in contrast were soundly resting with their heads bent down towards the grass.

“What? No.” said Karl. “I told you. Don’t worry about it. We have bigger problems at hand. But tell me! Did you find any traces of bandits along your inspection?”

“No. The roads appear to be completely devoid of attacks, which bothers me more. Even if we’re away from the places where banditry is rampant, there should be some action, however minimal.”

Karl seemed to ponder an answer as his hands quickly poured three bowls of steaming hot soup. The aroma that was coming from that mash wasn’t appetizing at all, but with how hungry they all were, the bowls were made a quick work off.

“I share your sentiment.” said suddenly Karl, who was cleaning the empty bowl with some clear water. “But, I don’t think we should worry too much about it.”

“…Maybe. Still, commander, I’ll advise to keep up some degree of vigilance. I wouldn’t want us to be caught off guard after all.”

“All right. Guess I’ll be the…” A yawn made him realize how tired he was. “Sorry ‘bout that. I’ll take first turn of watch duty. You two may rest.”

“But…”

“No buts. No hurry up! I’ll wake you when it’s your turn.”

Crow sighed, but still obeyed. After all, Karl had had such an important role in his life that he would never even think about disobeying an order coming from him. As for William, well, that was another story. But that particular order, he had no problem obeying.

Lying on the fabric used as sort of beds, William felt the tiredness becoming always heavier, until it had been a real difficult task to stay awake. His eyelids felt heavy like mountains, and his conscience wanted nothing more than slip away to quiet rest. So he let everything go and entered the dream world.

The next day would be another hassle, another entry in the long book of things he had no choice but endure. But for that brief moment, he could rest.

//////

William had only been gone for a couple of days, but to Marygold it had seemed like an eternity. Not even the monotony of everyday life, with customers flowing in and out like a river leaving behind a generous dose of coins, had managed to lift her spirit up.

That damned boy was the first thing that came to her mind when she woke up, and the last before falling asleep. If she had to continue like this for the entire duration of William’s stay in the army, which for all she knew could have been for life, she would have certainly either died or went crazy. No. She had to do something. Something that could change everything. But what?

William’s fate seemed already sealed. He was being escorted to the army by two veterans, so rescuing him during their travel was impossible. Then she thought about doing something to help his career. But there was no way for her to interfere, or even facilitate, with his presence in the front lines. Unless…

A sudden, dangerous, repulsive, and every word in between, thought appeared in her mind, making her eyes close as she sharply exhaled a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

There was, after all, a way. It was utter lunacy, but there was…

But route was so…repulsive, that even the thought of it was enough to make her skin crawl. Returning to that period of her life, to that hell she had endured for god’s know how long, would have caused her a feeling of disgust and revulsion so strong that it would have risked breaking her.

Now she was at a crossroads. A dangerous and complicated one at that.

On one hand, she wanted nothing more than to find a way to help William, and to hell what price she would have to pay for it. On the other, she deeply feared it. After all the pain and effort she had to endure to leave behind that way of living, she would need to get back to it. If she could.

After a couple of minutes where she kept on debating in her head what her choice was going to be, she steeled herself.

All things considered, there was one only choice to make. Help William, or don’t. The choice was an obvious one.

William was such an important person in her life that it almost seemed like an easy choice to make. An appearance, for sure; maybe even a thought to hide the fear she was feeling inside; but one that made it clear how deeply she cared for William.

Getting up from the worn stool she was sitting in, Marygold quickly closed the shop door, only to walk inside her bedroom. It was a room she rarely used and almost covered in a layer of dust, only when she had to remain inside the shop until the next morning, due to some order that required some extra time.

Zigzagging through the apparent chaos that was reigning inside, she finally knelt by the left side of the well-made bed, and lifted with a sudden jolt a floorboard that didn’t look out of place with the others. From the recess that was hidden there, she reached in and pulled out a small black chest that had a thick, intricate lock. The hole that was in the middle of it required an intricate key to open its tightly shut mechanism. And she knew exactly where she could find it.

By passing her hands behind her head, she unhooked and retrieved the chain she always wore around her delicate neck. It was a simple golden one that had been gifted to her many years ago by some strange merchant that had fallen in love with her but she hadn’t reciprocated. A moment later, a strangely shaped key emerged from her breasts, hanging from the other end of it.

The moment Marygold had inserted the strangely shaped metal object into the keyhole, turning it twice to the right, once to the left, and again twice to the right, the complicated mechanism opened, revealing its well-kept secrets.

“…Dammit.” said Marygold as she grabbed the golden coat of arms that she had hidden inside all those years ago. The number seven at the center had been engraved and painted black, though the enamel had begun to come off due to old age and wear.

“I’m really going back, huh?”

The deafening silence in that room would have been no problem for a strong woman like her. But her voice, which had always been firm and full of conviction, came out as a mere whisper. Her hands were trembling; and the more she stared at that metal object, the more the trembling seemed to increase.

Shaking her head to regain some degree of composure, she quickly put it inside one her pockets and headed to the exit.

But, before she had left completely, she glanced one last time at the shop she had fought so hard to open. All the sacrifices. All the troubles she had to endure in order to become independent and successful. And now she was trying to go back where she came from. Life could be such a joke that she almost laughed hysterically at the thought of that.

“Ahhh what a pain.” she said. Her mind was a chaos of doubts and insecurities.

However, of one thing she was sure: the people who she once called comrades never forgot. They certainly would have recognized her. If they wouldn’t kill her first.

//////

Marygold had travelled avoiding the main roads, who had become a hot spot for thieves and scums alike. With the war taking so many soldiers on the front lines, the squads that patrolled the realm had slowly become ever so rare, until they had become almost a unique event that seemed like a mirage. Those were dark times indeed.

During the second day of the trip, she had witnessed with her own eyes the brutality with which those savages who were plaguing the streets had robbed a merchant, beating him to unconsciousness. She had even though, for a brief moment, of killing them with the long bow she had strapped on her back. It wasn’t she had the most proficiency with, but she could have surely killed them all with the short distance that had separated them. Nonetheless, she had opted to leave quietly.

She couldn’t endanger herself for a complete stranger. Not when she was so nearby. Not when her destiny would change yet again.

The very next day, at the crack of dawn, she finally reached her destination. A normal looking town, the seat of some local baron that wasn’t at all important, stood on the hill before her eyes. Beyond the city gates, with their wooden bridges that connected the entrances to the roads, just a few blocks down, near the city’s biggest square, lingered a tavern where many years ago she had changed her fate for the better. And now, older and maybe wiser, she was going back with the hope of trading help. Yes, trading. For that kind of help was never given carelessly or pricelessly. That, however, was something that she had no power on, as her former companions were the one who would ultimately decide if they still needed her talents. For that was the only price she could think of.

Finally, after avoiding the stares of some curious bystanders, she finally reached her destination.,

There it was. That damned tavern had remained unchanged even after all those years had passed. And by the emptiness that was all over the place, even its reputation had remained the same. As she smiled about that sad display, a feeling of dread suddenly appeared and threatened to overwhelm her. Her pulse, which was always stable and calm no matter the stressful situation she could be in, was now skyrocketing at such a pace that she felt it could explode. Her breath became short, ragged. Her entire body began to tremble. She was having a panic attack.

Even if she had travelled for days, surviving the harsh wilderness, the only thing she wanted now was to turn back. But she couldn’t abandon her only hope of making a difference. Not before she had even tried.

Slowly, she steeled herself, slowing down her pulse and breath. After a couple of minutes, when panic seemed to have disappeared, she threw open the wooden door and walked a few tentatively steps into the warm and comfortable environment that seemed to contrast with her own feelings.

A man, dressed exactly as a waiter, greeted her and made her sit in one of the tables. It was a ruse.

Before she had even finished her order, a man appeared out of nowhere and sat right in front of her. He was dressed in a set of armor that was completely black, with his face hidden by the long cape that reached beyond his knees. The unmistakable scent of lavender that the man exuded made her immediately recognize her who he was. “…Four.” she said monotone. But her voice had slightly trembled. She wanted to appear completely calm, giving off the appearance that this meeting wasn’t affecting her in the slightest. However, she partially failed. Even if she appeared as a strong woman, she had her weaknesses after all. And it seemed that mysterious man might have been one of them.

“…Seven.”

A strange silence enveloped them, only to be broken by that same man. “…I admit that I would have never expected you to come back. After all, you’re the one who left, didn’t you?”

“…Yes.”

“So I ask myself. Why is she back? Did she have a sudden urge to return? Did she change her mind after all that time? That’s wrong isn’t it. The great Seven would never go back to her decision once she had made her mind. So tell me, oh old comrade of mine…” His voice dropped down a tone as he looked at her straight in the eyes. The flame of the candle that was at the centre of the table danced inside his brown iris, making them look animated. “Why are you back?”

“…I need a favour.”

“…You need…a favour?”

“Yes.”

The mysterious man laughed, attracting the nearby table’s attention.

“To see the famous Seven ask for a favour. Life is indeed full of surprises, don’t you agree? I don’t think I’ll ever forget this moment for as long as I live.”

Marygold scoffed. “…Will you do it?”

“…It depends. You also know to not make promises before you’ve heard the whole story, right? So, go ahead and ask me. What….do you need so bad that you’ve actually sought us out after all those years?”

“There’s a young man that I want to protect. He’s joining the front lines under commander Karl Payne.”

“And who’s that young man to you?”

“…I don’t think that matters to you.”

The man smiled, showing his toothy smile. His teeth, which were abnormally pristine, resembled the ones of a predator. “No. No.” said the man as he soundly cliqued his tongue. “If you want our help, you must answer me. Those are the rules, and you know it. If you don’t want to, then you can leave an-”

“Alright. He’s a person I hold dear. Very Much. Happy…?”

“Uhm…” the man called Four squinted his eyes thoughtfully. “…You, one of the best agents our collective has ever had, and to some, ever will, cares about someone? Almost twenty years ago I would have killed anyone who said such a thing. You sure have changed…”

“…Everything changes, Four. You and I both.”

This time Marygold assumed a cold, distant expression that she had never worn at home. Her eyes, that usually had one of the best irises in the whole town, now seemed disinterested and completely devoid of light. Even the light from the nearby torches seemed unable to penetrate that mask of ice that she now was wearing. “I’m still the same woman I was before.” she said in a flat tone. “Do not make the mistake of underestimating me, Four. You know what I’m capable of doing.”

Four smirked. “No. I know what you were capable of. Now, I don’t know anything about you.”

“…Liar.”

“…What did you just say?”

“Liar.” said Marygold as she stared at him. “Did you think I wouldn’t have noticed the spies that you and the others have sent in the past years to my shop? You must have taken me for a fool to believe that would work…”

“…How did you spot them?” asked the man in sincere surprise that had almost seemed out of character. “We had selected only those who could have blended in with the common populace.”

Marygold clicked her tongue. “I may have retired from that life years ago, but my senses have not dulled in the least. Rather, I believe they have become sharper.”

“Well, let’s hope you’re right. I would hate it if you’ll get killed before you’ll be able to go back home.”

Everything that she was thinking went out of the window when she slowly understood the words that had been spoken. “…What did you say?”

“You heard me. I can’t promise anything, but I believe that the others would be inclined to…offer you a proposal. You were one of the bests, weren’t you?”

Yeah…. yeah, she still was.

“…When?”

The man looked outside the window, the one where the sun was peeking through the wooden frame. “…Midnight. To call upon all of our comrades of old will require some time after all. But we will all be there. Make yourself be found at the old fountain, the one with the lion head.”

Having achieved some kind of deal, Marygold stood up. But it seemed like Four had a different opinion. Before she even had some time to reach for the knife she was hiding to defend herself, the man grasped her arm. But his touch wasn’t so strong that it would have hurt. Not were his intentions bad.

“What is it?” asked Marygold, already picturing how to draw the blade from the scabbard.

The man simply smiled.

A toothy smile that had something…obnoxious about it. “Welcome back.”

//////

After exactly eight days of travel on roads that had been rough to say the least, the strange trio finally spotted in the distance the camp where the main force of lord Blackthorn war effort was stationed.

As they neared their destination, William noticed that the air around them had become thick, carrying with it a vast sampler of odours that were undoability unpleasant to the nostrils, the throat and the whole being.

The first one to manifest was acrid at its core and reeked of something that hit right to the throat: it was the scent of decomposing bodies.

William had sensed this immediately. As a child, and even after growing up, he had widely experienced what death smelled like. He had lost count of how many lifeless carcasses his eyes had seen, be it as an orphan or later as a hunter. Unfortunately, it was not strange in his way of life to encounter a few corpses that had been left to the beasts of the forest. Over time he had even gotten used to it, to the point he no longer paid attention to it. Even their facial features, or the conditions of their mangled bodies had faded away in time.

But the eyes, or what was left of them, never did. He always had the impression that they were accusing him of surviving, that it was his fault if they were laying decomposing on the cold and hard ground. A dreadful and completely made up though, sure, but one that had not been easy to overcome.

After the initial assault of that rancid smell had passed, the second odor to manifest was a welcoming appearance after what the first one had evoked in the recess of his mind: it was the scent of burning wood.

The fireplaces, that had been too many to keep count, dotted the camp in its entirety. They had been placed in a careful and organized way so that every two/three tents were covered in its warmth during the nights, that were becoming colder and colder as days went by. But, by the time they had arrived, the flames had long since consumed every single thing that had been sacrificed to quench their voracious appetites; the only things left after its embers had vanished were black masses that were emitting that characteristic odor that William strangely found pleasant. The reason whoever escaped him.

The last to manifest, and perhaps the most common in a camp, clearly made its way through his nostrils as they set foot in the most populated part: it was the smell of sweat, of dirty and smelly bodies. And yet, as much as it was a particularly unpleasant smell, no one including him, even winced. The commander and the man called Crow were clearly used to those realities that were an integral part of war. They knew that well after the countless battles they had taken part in since the war had begun. William, instead, owed his reaction, or lack thereof, the time spent in the streets. After all, washing was not a priority when there was no certainty of tomorrow.

All of those strong and unpleasant odours, that composed a unique and disgusting composition, accompanied their every step. Even when they had reached a heavily guarded zone that looked a lot cleaner than the rest of the camp, the smell had not abated. But none of that bothered William. His attention was directed to the stares he had noticed: the soldiers, despite grades, who were guarding that place, were also throwing them some glances that clearly denoted a feeling of suspicious, without however opposing their passage. He immediately understood what that gesture meant.

During his imprisonment he had the opportunity to closely study the behaviours of a vigilant man, who had been expressly commanded to prevent access to anyone unauthorized. If men such as him didn’t object when they saw them crossing over the perimeter, it could only mean one thing: they knew exactly who Karl Payne was. The greeting that some of those soldiers offered him some time later was only a confirmation of that. As for the feeling of distrust that William had noticed, it was directed most probably towards him or Crow. Most certainly towards him. After all, no one aside Karl and his loyal “servant” knew him, so that made sense.

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After quickly disregarding all of that, the trio reached a tent that was by shape and size completely different from the others. A man fully cladded in a dirty armor, who had clearly fought in recent times, appeared shortly after.

Judging by his mannerism and air of command that accompanied his every step, he had to be someone important to the army. The perfectly combed beard that perfectly hid his sharp facial features was just another characteristic that revealed his true nature. He was a noble. An arrogant one, at that.

The man muttered something incompressible as he stepped outside the small comforts that the tent was so casually offering. Clearly, that upstart would have killed himself if he ever found himself in the position of the common soldier, who had to make do with the bare minimum. Looking only at the commander and completely ignoring and disregarding the other two, he said. “Payne. You’re finally here. What the hell took you so long? Did you get lost on the way?”

William didn’t know who the hell that man was, but the tone in which he had addressed Karl was one of defiance that left no doubt on the what was going on. Those two clearly didn’t enjoy being around each other. For what reason, William didn’t have a clue. But it was clear to him that things could turn real bad real fast.

Watching the commander for a reaction, William saw the eyes of the commander grow cold, distant, as the mood suddenly soured. He saw him taking a look at the man that had addressed him with such clear disdain with a gaze that emitted the raw emotions that he tried, albeit failing miserably, to hid behind a mask of stoicism. “…Artwood. I see you joined my camp. Now, dare I ask, what the hell are you doing here, inside my accommodation nonetheless?”

The man smiled. It immediately appeared as a fake and forced one. “Our liege has kindly ordered my men and yours truly to reinforce your sorry camp until your return. Of course, I hated every moment that had to spend here with these…worms. Alas, I live to serve our liege, whatever his command may be.” The hate and venom with which he pronounced his carefully constructed answer were obvious, even if he had tried to mask them. “But I digress. I can finally be ridden of this place now that you’re here, oh great commander.”

Karl didn’t even have the time to form a reply that the man was already on his way out, walking towards the far edge of camp where a group of knights were waiting for him. By their composure and whole equipment they were proudly wearing, displaying the colours and banners of their distinct houses, they all were nobles. Perhaps they all resented Karl. Or maybe they were just trying to obtain privilege by exploiting the friction that was present between the two. No one could discern what the truth was.

William was sure, however, that Karl was angry. The tight grip with which he was gripping the reins of his horse was a clear sign of how enraged he was. Only after that spiteful figure had finally disappeared from his vision, taking with himself all the tension and negative emotions he had so masterfully created, he slowly relented his hands, ordering a couple of nearby soldiers to not be disturbed by anyone, no matter who it might have been. In the end he stormed inside the tent, as Crow and William were left to tend to the horses. “…Who the fuck was that?” asked William. He was curious about who the man was. Not because he harboured any particular interest in a pompous asshole. He had simply been…impressed by how he had made a man, who always appeared calm and unflappable, lose his temper.

Crow stared at William with cold eyes. He clearly didn’t trust him in the least and it wouldn’t change any time soon. After all, how could him? Even if his role within the commander’s army was a delicate and difficult one that required him to keep distances all the time, with time he had learnt how balance trust and distrust.

But, looking back, he had not always been so…closed. There was a time, many years before he took up the sword to fight, where he had been a completely different man. He used to be kind, even loving sometimes, to his closest companions and family. And that very trust was the thing that had blinded him from the betrayal that those worms had plotted behind his back.

He had managed to survive against all odds. A serious wound had bedridden him for a long time, had at least healed, leaving behind a permanent mark upon his skin. But that infamy that had struck deep inside, beyond the wounds that the flesh had sustained and that still adorned his body, was a mark that was never going to disappear.

Even if he had survived, he had come out of it changed forever: gone was the caring and kind man that always tried to help the one in need. In his place a man that never trusted anybody, exception made for a very restricted list of people, had been born.

Hence he became suspicious when William had asked that question. Could that young man have any ulterior motive?

Staring at him right, Crow finally asked. “…Why do you want to know?”

“No particular reason. I just have to know if I’m going to have problems with him. And judging by that brief exchange, I can already see where this is going. So, as I’ve just asked, who is he? Someone dangerous?”

“…I wouldn’t say dangerous.” said Crow after a short silence. In the end he must have thought that William couldn’t post a threat even if he desperately tired. “He’s some noble that used to command the whole army, some years ago. When the commander took his place, things got ugly really fast. Therefore, to avoid creating chaos within the military hierarchies, Lord Blackthorn has decided to split them apart, creating a unit that answer only to that man.”

Turning his gaze towards the tent, Crow finished talking. “…Be wary of him. He’s a slimy, resentful bastard. I don’t think he’ll ever approach a nobody like you, but still…”

With that, Crow went inside, leaving William alone.

He was surprised, to say the least. In all sincerity, he totally expected to face a wall of silence when he had tried to pry some information out of a man who had never spoken to him, expect for the bare minimum sentences that clearly denoted negativeness. What had changed then? Had he suddenly started to like him? Had he imagined the attitude with which he had always treated him? Was he going inside, or had he just imagined all of that? William smiled. He hardly ever did even normally, but now he couldn’t help himself. He found all those thoughts funny, because he realized how ridiculous they were. There was no way that could be the case. That man was in fact as cold as they come.

That had been everything. William had weighted what could have caused that sudden change in his demeanour. But before he could have reached a conclusion, the booming and now familiar voice of his commander stopped his reasoning.

Without leaving his newfound accommodation, Karl ordered him to enter and sit in the nearby chair. The vast map lying on the table was the only thing that had the resolute man’s attention. Everything else, even Crow, had gone into the background.

He stood there, leaning over with his hands to support his weight, silently observing as he pondered with masterful and time honed skill the next moves to be made on great chessboard of war. “…In the coming days we’ll be facing a lot of problems. Count Treadster will try to locate us and launch an attack. If I were him, I’ll set an ambush the moment we cross those woods.” said Karl. His fingers traced a path on the map that pointed towards the old Redwood Forest. “But that will only slow us down. The real problem comes next. After passing through the forest, which will not be without consequences, the army must venture in this gorge. The rocky and uneven terrain is a constant threat to our horses, especially for the towing ones that carry the much-needed supplies. Even if we’re carrying a large quantity, I cannot afford to waste even a grain of rice. Those supplies must come out the journey intact. Many lives depends on those supplies.”

As he remarked how vital that last sentence was, Karl looked up for the first time since William had set foot inside. Of course, he wasn’t look at him, a young man that had no experience in the complex art of warfare that had barely escaped a death sentence. That wouldn’t have made sense.

No. He was looking at the man he trusted most in the whole word: silent and deadly Crow. He gave him very specific instructions that he had to follow verbatim. Something that sounded completely alien to William’s ears. After he had finished speaking, Crow took off without even offering a goodbye, disappearing in the open space of the camp.

“For you, however, I have another assignment.” said Karl as he looked in the direction where William was standing. “Soon I will be forming a small contingent, no more than a hundred men, that will have to head into Redwood Forest and make sure the path is without any hiccups. A sort of advance party, if you will. There will be dangers of course, but even if the count does attack us, I don’t expect to encounter large resistance. Anyway, I will lead them, and you’ll accompany me. That way you can learn directly from me.”

William stood up from his seat, wondering why this man was being nice to him. “…Why are you doing this? Since I have been released from prison you have never…”

“I was once like you, many years ago.” said Karl interrupting him. His gaze grew distant, lost in distant memories that wished to resurface. “Don’t make the mistake of confusing my benevolence with charity. As I’m sure I have explained before, you’re an asset that has potential to grow into something. I knew it since the moment I laid my gaze to you in that hall, bound as you were with chains on your wrists and ankles. So, I know what you’re made of. But you’re still unexperienced. You lack all that is necessary to become a man capable of taking control of his fate. And that is why I’m taking care of you, for the moment. I expect you’ll rise up the challenge. If not, well…”

The deflection, or to be more accurate, the lack of elaboration on his remark that he was like him, wasn’t lost on William. What could he mean by that? There were nothing alike. How could such a powerful figure be anything like him?

Almost as if he had managed to read his mind, Karl smiled, stating he would understand the meaning of his words as he went along the long journey that they had ahead.

Then he disappeared outside, telling him not to move.

For the next hour or so, William roamed through the possessions of that man while always glancing at the flattering entrance to avoid praying eyes. It was unlikely that someone would enter inside that tent, being in the possession of the most powerful figure in the camp, but he still felt the need to be couscous. To be caught in that kind of environment, where anyone could had become a potential enemy, would have been disastrous.

After a couple of minutes, he stumbled across the same sack that Karl had carried with him during their travel. Even though it had a rough exterior, with some small cuts and clear spots where the leather had worn off due to constant usage, it contained something that caught his eye. Giving one last glance at the entrance, William opened the golden buckle that was keeping it closed and retrieved a myriad of parchments. Now, William had never been an educated fellow as those rich bastards that could afford the best tutors of the kingdom, but he sure as hell knew how to read. Well, sort of. And what he was holding in his hands clearly looked military orders of some sorts.

The context of those parchments wasn’t exactly clear to him, partially thanks to his inability to read and write properly. But, growing up the way he did, it was no surprise that his education had taken a hit. After all, surviving and eating anything that was even remotely edible were priorities that had outclassed the desire to be literate. Not to mention the cost of tutors. Even if his family was still around, they would have never obtained the necessary sum to buy him an education from a professional.

But now, in a different time and context, William regretted not having those skills like never before. How much he would have liked to completely understand what had been written in that rough calligraphy…

But that, he realized, was just wishful thinking.

The only words he had managed to pick out of that hurried calligraphy, that certainly didn’t help him, were supplies, hurry, and another thing that however was only partially readable.

Suddenly some footsteps began resounding outside. By their weight and speed, it was obvious that whoever was approaching was in a hurry. William snapped out of the trance he had fallen in and quickly put back the parchment, trying to mimic the exact way he had found it to not arise suspicions.

In the exact moment he had finished this task, the figure he had heard approaching appeared. It was Karl. In his right hand he was holding a parchment that he had not had before.

With a heartbeat so fast that it seemed to resound inside his temples, William stared at the commander in a calm facade, trying to discern from his facial expression and all demeanour if he had noticed anything of what he had just done. Thankfully, if the commander wasn’t hiding his reaction, he was in the clear.

“These are all the men that are going with us on our little mission.” said Karl the moment he had noticed the stare Willam was throwing at the thing in his hand. “The rest of the forces will proceed at slower, but utterly safer, pace. I expect us to accomplish the task at hand at the sooner opportunity.”

“…When will we depart?”

“Truthfully, I would have liked to depart immediately, but given the circumstances I postponed that. The order is to leave in about three hours from now, so get any rest you can get. We’ll be marching in a rough terrain after all.”

“Am I free to do as I please around camp?”

“Yes. As long as you don’t cause trouble, that is. Now go, and report back in time. We cannot lose time now.”

William was left dumb folded as he left the commander’s tent behind. He couldn’t believe that man would let wonder camp without anyone watching his every movement. Now that he thought about it, he was practically alone, despite being surrounded by a sea of dangerous and armed barrage of soldiers. No one knew him, and no one would care. Only Karl could notice his disappearance. Maybe…

A dangerous thought crept into his mind. Maybe now the time to escape had come. Maybe he should just venture outside camp and make himself untraceable. Yet, even if his desire to run away from it all was almost overwhelming, his legs didn’t move an inch.

He knew in his heart the even if he had managed to escape, he would have been caught again sooner or later. Perhaps, if the kingdom had not been at war, he would have managed to disappear, becoming a ghost that wandered the land until no one could remember his name, or even his face. But with the tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands, of soldiers that were searching, fighting, and devastating the land, that option was impossible. In fact, maybe it was safer right where he was.

“…God damn it.” exclaimed William as he stared at the sky, watching the few clouds floating in the endless light blue sea.

Soon he would depart. Soon, the so-called war was going to shape. Soon, maybe even sooner than he though, his blade would taste war.

//////

Since the day he had left the main army behind, following the dispatch that Karl had formed in a hurry, William had been forced to undergo gruelling workouts to strengthen his body and mind. The commander was the one that had pushed him every day, starting at sunset when the rest of the soldiers were busy preparing the camp for the night, until the moon was high in the sky.

One night, which didn’t seem different from previous ones, the enemy had launched a surprise attack while he was in the middle of training. They had rushed upon them like a flooded river, counting on the powerful effect of surprise. And if it hadn’t been for the alertness of the lookout, who had also, unfortunately, been the first victim of that confrontation, things would have turned out very differently. The men that had been sleeping peacefully under improvised blankets immediately woke up, rushing to take hold of their trusted weapons.

Some were quick enough to jump up and regroup near Karl’s side, focusing initially on a defensive formation to gain time and reorganize against that sudden threat; some however, mostly the ones who had been closest to the ambush’s starting point, had fallen before they could have attempted any desperate act to save their lives. Fortunately, the soldiers that had died in that first phase had been only a handful.

As the battle had progressed, William had found himself right in the middle of the formation that had naturally formed itself around Karl, tightly gripping his only weapon by the hilt. Even if he didn’t possess any kind of knowledge on war clashes, it had not taken a genius to quickly figure out how the battle was progressing and which was the safest zone. The fact that his weapon mastery was at a novice level certainly wouldn’t have helped in the fighting. Sure, if it came down to it, he would fight till his last breath, just like everyone else in that damned forest. But that had not been a comforting thought at all.

The booming voice of the commander, who had overwhelmed his sudden train of thoughts, had resounded inside his head. “Alright boys! Just like always! Keep a tight formation with the lances forward and the archers in the back. After we’ve thinned these bastards down, let me and the others come through! Let’s slaughter them!”

The roar that followed had been so powerful that it had appeared to possess the strength to shatter the very earth. An exaggeration, of course, but one that had made it clear their intentions.

None of them soldiers had felt the need to say anything after that. But, if actions spoke louder than words, they had utterly screamed.

As the wave of enemies had approached with every intention of ending their existence, the firsts of many arrows that would soon search their targets had hovered, cleaving the air with a hiss that was unmistakable to a soldier’s ear. The most exposed of the vanguard had huddled in the vain of hope of finding shelter in the few available brushwood, but the arrow was a cruel weapon. Perhaps even the cruellest of them all. Once fired, there was no stopping it. It would pierce anything that would cross his trajectory. And that day wasn’t any different.

A gigantic explosion of screams that had teared right through the otherwise quiet forest, spread like wildfire across the battlefield as the few enemy archers had returned fire. But the small group that Karl had personally handpicked, the one that had held shields, consisted only of seasoned veterans that knew exactly what to do. As the others had quickly stepped back behind them, those men had risen their shields in perfect harmony, deflecting the vast majority of the projectiles. That simple motion, that had resembled a crude wall of shields, gave a shot of confidence straight into the inflamed soul of every single soldier who had taken refuge there. That fleeting moment had given them courage to advance towards an enemy that hadn’t shown any sign of surrender, effectively changing the tide.

Having successfully killed the momentum of the enemy’s charge, Karl had raised his shiny sword into the air, ordering in his authoritative voice the counter charge. The firsts of his trusted companions had immediately roared into the air as they took sprinting with renewed purpose. In their bloodshot eyes, the crimson flame of revenge and ruthless killing had burned in all its majesty, painting a picture of heartrending screams, immense pain and rivers of blood.

The moment the soldiers had crossed swords, all hell broke loose.

Bodies upon bodies had mutilated, cut themselves, inflicted wounds without mercy of any kind, in a macabre dance of gloomy hues that had seemed unreal in its cruel representation. Hell, which had always been described in the sacred texts of the various religions across the globe as something exclusive to the damned souls who deserved it, had never been more real.

Men, who under different circumstances could have called themselves as brothers, had massacred each other, fuelled by the indomitable will to survive at any cost. Survival after all, was the rawest and most powerful sensation any living being would ever encounter. All was fair. All was…doable. Even the unthinkable.

No wonder then that, in that stressful situation, the strangest things always happened…

They had been fighting for barely more than a moment, but to everyone who had fought in it, it had seemed like an entire lifetime. The very same thing had happened to William, of course.

His eyes had seemed to perceive the hell that had took place in front of them at a much slower speed then real. He had been able to see the deadly blows delivered in swift motions, the agonized screams of the men leaving behind their mortal remains, and the ferocity painted on everyone’s faces. But all of that came to an abrupt stop when he saw the danger that one of his fellow soldiers that had been near was in.

Almost as quickly as an afterthought, William had raised his blade ready to attack, propelling himself forward. What came after made him eventually reach a breaking point.

//////

At the end, the battle had been won, thanks to no small amount of courage and good tactical planning from everyone. But if fate, and the skill with which Karl had commanded, had allowed them to achieve victory over the enemy, the air that hoovered among the soldiers was hardly festive. Some of them laid down to rest sore limbs. Some checked the colourful mass of the trees, fearing that another wave was on the way. And some tried to help their wounded comrades. It was them who donned the most steeled expression on their tired faces, dirty with blood and grime. Indeed: it fell to them to do the most difficult task of all: help the wounded.

Any good soldier worth their rank feared that task as much as he feared starvation. Death was something that, for better or for worse, they had become accustomed to. Only the youngest or those new to that cruel business trembled before the overwhelming fear of eternal rest. Veterans, on the other hand, did not.

After all the horrors they had been subject to, all the traumatic experiences they had gone through, they had acclimatized to that surreal and death-filled air that war bringed with her fiery wings. With time, those battlefields where they had bled upon become like a welcoming home to them. They even missed it when they were away from it, as twisted as that may had been. So, if those kinds of people feared that task, it was clear how hard and difficult that was.

The handful appointed to roam the injured wandered aimlessly for who knows how long. Reaching. Pondering. And when necessary, mercy killing the ones who weren’t going to make it.

Through all of that, William leaned with his back against the truck of an old oak tree that was near a blackberry bush. But, even if the dark colour of those juicy berries was a sight to behold, he didn’t noticed it. His mind was busy replaying every single moment that had happened in the midst of battle, lingering his dull gaze that was devoid of any emotion upon the lifeless body of the man who laid at his feet.

Most likely that unknow man, who had dark hairs cut short, had a family that was anxiously awaiting his return home. But that man would never return home. His destiny was to be eaten by vultures that roamed the sky, worms that crawled into the heart, and any awful creature that existed in Redwood Forest, until only bones were left. And it was all William’s fault.

His was the hand that had dealt the killing blow, driving the cold blade deep into the man’s flesh until he had stopped gasping for air. He was the one who hadn’t hesitated in killing a perfect stranger. Not that he had any other choice. If he had not steeled himself into doing it, he would have been the one dead now. And yet, that act so ferocious and in some way atavistic, thanks to which he had saved himself from the ultimate oblivion, hit him so hard as no one had succeeded before. The perception of what was going on around him began to crumble while his breath quickened. The heart began to beat faster and faster, causing his blood pressure to skyrocket. “I…I…need to…” thought William, trying to resist that overwhelming dread that had suddenly appeared. But it was all in vain. The damage had been done.

But maybe not all hope had not been lost. Maybe there was still something that could save him. Something…that could wash it all away. No matter the price…

//////

William ran until he reached a spot away from everyone. There, where no one could spot him or interfere with the dark intentions that had appeared inside his head, he finally let loose. There, he let the demons he was carrying inside win. There, he bled by own hand.

Minutes later, when a warm sensation had begun to appear around his arm, the pain had overwhelmed and ultimately consumed the oppressive darkness that had tried to swallow him whole. In its place, a cut across the forearm caused by his own handiwork had appeared.

William’s mind was nothing but a formless haze. He couldn’t think, couldn’t feel anything but that familiar sting that was slowly receding back. Only the endless blood drops that fell from his fingertips, wetting the fresh turf, had the power to dispel his confusion and bring him back to reality.

Slowly, the world around him reconstructed itself into the dense mass of green and brown and every colour in between that was the forest. The musky aroma that had accompanied his travel for the last few days hit him again in all its strength, finally dissipating the haze that had enveloped him. Now he was himself again. Changed forever in many ways, but still him.

When the pain and panic had all faded away, William stood there staring emptily at the gush that he had caused. How could he have done such a…sinister thing? But most importantly, why did he feel so…uplifted?

He couldn’t bring himself to answer those questions. Not now, at least. If he tried to elaborate further in his fragile state of mind, he was sure he was going to become insane.

Then, out of the blue, a voice come from behind him.

Startled, even if it was a voice that he had immediately recognized, William almost panicked. “What the hell are you doing out here, boy? Come help us out.” said Karl, as he got closer and closer. A winning smile was plastered over his face.

William tried to lower the sleeves as quick as he could, to cover what he had done to himself with his own hand. But it was too late. The commander had arrived. And by the sudden change in his demeanour, he had understood that something was up.

“…What happened? Are you hurt? Did you get injured during the fighting?” he asked in an inquisitive tone that demanded an answer. The suspicious, though cleverly masked, was seeping right though his words.

“Yeah. I didn’t even notice when it must have happened.” said William trying to appear calm and composed. “I was taking in some air right now. Only the wet feeling that I perceived on my arm made me realize that I had been injured.”

Karl nodded. “Uhm…it must have happened in the scuffle. Battle is, as you have just experienced, a chaotic thing after all. Anyway, go get it fixed then. We’ll be leaving shortly.”

“…Shortly?”

“Yes. We’ll patch up our wounded and bury our dead, of course. But after, we’ll depart.”

William straightened himself and nodded, before beginning to walk towards where the other soldiers had regrouped. However, before he could move another step forward, Karl grabbed him by the shoulder, stopping him in his tracks. “…I know how though it is to kill for the first time. But it will get easier with time. Trust me.”

“…Sure?” he replied, wearing the best mask he could. He couldn’t let him understand what he had done. He couldn’t rely on a man that was just using him as a pawn to his own war games. He had to keep a strong façade in front him, and any other person that approached.

“…Alright.” said Karl as he finally let him go. “Get going, then. But remember that you can talk to me about anything. I’m not your enemy.”

After a moment, when William was far enough away, he let go of the breath he had not even realized he was holding. What was going on with him? After all the hell he had gone through as a child, was he still so weak inside that he would feel panic in front of other people? No! Never! It couldn’t be. And yet…

//////

The healer, if one could call like that the rough looking soldier that had the task of stitching up the wounded, had already gotten his hands on more than a dozen men. Dozen more still needed attention.

Among the ranks of these people, there was William.

He was standing nearby, where a line of bloodied and bruised men had formed. Some were praying in mere whispers, trying to find comfort in the divine power the believed in. Others instead were contemplating, or were in some deep thought. But all of them were patiently waiting to receive the healer’s services.

As the line slowly thinned out, William caught more than a glimpse of his handiwork. The cut that he had caused on his arm had begun to bleed less and less as he kept applying constant pressure, and he could clearly feel where the blade had teared his flesh like butter, opening up a tear that had taken away all the panic and pain he had felt inside. The more he focused on it, the more he risked on being overwhelmed by a sensation that he didn’t want to even think about. How had he been able to cut himself out of his own hand?

Before he could even comprehend what was going on, a cold voice beckoned him forward. It was the healer. He hadn’t noticed it, but the line in front of him had dissipated itself as a couple of men had come and took care of some wounded.

“So?” asked the healer in his rough voice. His eyes were looking really tired. “What are standing there for? Get over here! I don’t have all the fucking day, you know.”

William sat down, raising his blood-soaked sleeve. Even amid the waves of pain that the wound was emitting, he didn’t fail to notice those colourful curses that the healer was saying without a care in the world. Never before in his life had he witnessed such dexterity in insulting things and people that weren’t even the source of his anger. “Alright. Let’s see what the fuck I’m working on…”

The healer then proceeded to examine the injury thoroughly by spreading it apart with his freshly washed hands. His veteran eyes peered right where the blade had caused the most damage, which was around the first contact point. There, William had pressed the cold metal deep enough that it had been a stroke of luck that he had managed to avoid any serious trauma. If by any chance had he ventured even deeper, he would have surely compromised the normal function of the arm forever.

“…You’re one lucky son a bitch.” said the man as he kept his gaze fixated on the wound. “I have seen countless of wounds like yours, and let me tell you: any deeper than that and you would have become a cripple. No way to turn back after that.”

“So…I take it’s not my case, right?”

“Of course not! Why the fuck would I call you lucky otherwise?! Dammit, it’s already a shitty day as it is. Don’t make me loose the little patience I have left.”

William got a little angry at that. Who the hell was that man to lash out at him? “It’s not my fault, fucker.”

“Ah, no?” said the healer as he prepared a few things he was going to use on William’s injury. “Then why the hell are you bothering me? Can’t you patch yourself up?…No? Though so. Now shut up and let me work.”

As William stood still, the rude man turned behind and grabbed one of the many baskets full of water that he used to clean wounds, cascading the crystal-clear liquid over the traumatized flesh. Once it was clean enough, he proceeded to apply the suture with a crude needle and some cotton thread that had been carried with the other medical supplies, puncturing the skin with strong and swift movements.

That feeling of skin getting perforated hit William in all of its might, making him close his eyes as the pain never relented, keeping him in its close grasp. It was a sensation that he had experienced many times before, mainly by the hands of Marygold, who had been so kind to provide him with some help; however, he always hated that strange sensation. It even made him feel worse than when he had been injured, if that was even possible.

As confirmation of that, shivers ran through him as the healer kept on his bloody work. But William kept being still as a statue.

“Alright.” said finally the healer as he closed the last stitch of the twenty-two he had just applied. “I have done my part. Now get the hell out of here. I have other people to attend to. And this fucking line isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. What a fucking bother! Dammit!”

True to his words, when William stood up and turned around, he saw a queue of people, albeit a shorter one than the one he had undergone before. This time, however, the wounds seemed to be small cuts that didn’t even need to be stitched up to heal perfectly. But that didn’t stop the healer from sighing out loud.

“Why the hell was I appointed to this shit? Why, dammit?!”

“Because you have swift hands.”

William immediately turned to his right. Standing there, there was the man whose voice had just startled him: Karl. How the hell was that man able appear like that? Could he appear out of nowhere?

“Everything alright?” asked the commander to the healer, who shrugged his shoulders. It seemed that man didn’t really care about ranks too.

“Same shit, commander. Although I have not patched up wounds too badly, which is always good.”

Karl nodded visibly pleased. Then he turned his attention to William. “And you?”

“Nothing too serious. He has just finished stitching me up.”

“Good. Good.”

Then he turned around and walked straight where a group of wounded was standing.

Everyone, even the most seriously wounded, immediately greeted the commander with their utmost respect, as if they weren’t feeling any pain. How could that man be so respected by his followers was something William couldn’t understand. But deep inside him, he admired that.

One day maybe even him would enjoy the respect and the admiration that seemed to accompany that man whenever he went. One day maybe he too achieve such power. But that was in the distant future. For now it was enough to survive.

//////

The following day, when the sun had already been up by quite some time, the group emerged from the dense forest. In front of them, in the distance, with its characteristic jagged tip, stood the last obstacle separating them from their goal: Mount Sawteth.

The gorge they will have to cross was right beside the left mountain side, the one renowned to be the most difficult and deadliest. Many men that had attempted to cross at the wrong time of the year had perished under the rocks, caught inside the avalanches that were quite common inside that rocky death trap. Unfortunately for them, that narrow passage between the mountains was the fastest route viable to reach their destination. The other, though perfectly flat and mostly free of danger, would have extended the march by days, as it avoided the mountains altogether by circling around them for miles and miles. And that, according to Karl, wasn’t an option.

Therefore, with their wounds still fresh, but with the determination to overcome any obstacle that stood in their way, they set out.

For the first two hours, the terrain remained flat, with a few rare exceptions. But the closer the mountain got, the more the high spirit with which they had set out seemed to waver. If at first they had set out convinced that they could get through that death trap unharmed, or maybe with just some minor injuries, now doubts were slowly beginning to poison their minds. It was clear from their expressions that they feared what was ahead. And who wouldn’t? Only a fool, or a complete madman, would venture forth there without an ounce of fear.

The equilibrium of the group began to waver. If left unsupervised, the group harmony would surely break up without ever reassembling. Fortunately, however, Karl was a commander of such great experience and charisma that superlatives would not suffice to describe him. In a flash, he masterly drew the attention to himself, and without pausing, found the right words to bring their spirits back to track. “I know that what lies ahead is scary. I too am scared, you know? I know that fear is hard to control, especially against an opponent that you can’t fight.”

Then he took a small, meaningful pause. “But fear not, we shall conquer even this obstacle. To the new recruits, I say: Find the courage that is surely dormant within you. Embrace it. Let it give you all its power. And if you notice that someone is on the verge of giving up, of letting fear overwhelm him, then be his lifeline. For only in this way you’ll find the strength to challenge whatever stands in your way. Me and the veterans know this lesson very well, don’t we?”

A slow, approving murmur, spread like wildfire amongst the soldiers. The aura of despondency, which had so easily descended upon them, had just as easily disappeared, all thanks to Karl. But he wasn’t finished. He still had something to say. “I won’t lie to you. I have no idea what we’ll find on our path. Hell, perhaps the gorge isn’t even crossable. But I’m sure we’ll find a way. We always do, don’t we?”

This time, the group came alive in unison, shouting in approval. The crisis had been avoided.

With morale high again, Karl’s focus landed on William, that was walking right beside him. He immediately realised that his eyes were fixed on emptiness, as if his mind was wandering into a different dimension.

“What has gotten into you?” asked Karl as he shacked William’s shoulders. “I see your mind is miles away…”

William blinked. Then he looked at Karl with some evident stupor. The calmness and complete confidence that seeped from those irises managed to bring some serenity to his turbulent soul, which for one reason or another could not find peace. Even the dark and obscure thoughts that had clouded his mind in the last hour or so had begun to dissipate as clarity slowly returned to his mind. Maybe Karl could offer some kind of help? Maybe the commander could offer some kind of advice -

William stopped. A barely tangible smile had appeared on his face. A smile so small that not even Karl, who was standing right next to him, noticed it. What was he thinking? Had he already lost his mind? To even think that Karl, the same military commander that was responsible for saving his life, but also the same for sending him to the front lines, could or would offer him some advice on what was tearing him from the inside, was foolish. While it was true that the day before Karl had offered his counsel to him, William didn’t want to, or better, couldn’t, trust him No. If he had some issues that needed attention, he was the only one, he was the only one he could count on. The others would simply take advantage of his moment of weakness. He had learned this well in the past.

“…It’s nothing, commander.” said Willliam after a brief moment of introspection. “I was just letting my mind wander…”

Karl laughed sincerely. “I can see that. Nothing wrong with a little bit of distraction. Any thoughts that stands out in that maze?”

“…No…Just the same things, commander. Nothing to worry about. I’ll be ready to fight whenever needed.” He was lying. He wasn’t feeling well. It would take time to recover from that traumatic experience. But as long as they left him alone with his inner demons, he was content lie about it.

“…Well, there’s one thing for certain.” said Karl.

William turned his head as confusion had overcame him. What the hell was that man talking about?

“You’re one the worst liars my eyes had ever seen. And trust me, I have seen my fair share.”

“…”

“But don’t fret. As long as your thoughts, your actions, and everything in between doesn’t put the group at risk, I won’t force you.”

A deafening silence fell on those two, as the gorge was becoming always nearer.

“…Why are you being so allowing?”

“Huh?”

“Why are so calm and understanding?” asked William slightly curious. “The few people of the army that I had some dealings in the past were nothing like you.”

Karl smirked. “I guess your past encounters didn’t go that well, huh? Well, no matter. I’m nothing like those past fuckers that had the audacity to call themselves military men.”

“What do you mean?” William asked, clearly confused.

“To explain how the army was in the past would require too much time and effort.” said Karl. “But let me say that a good portion of it used to be consisted of people who were narrow minded.”

Then, after a short break to address one soldier who had addressed him from behind, Karl continued. “Let’s take as an example your own fate. Back when I first joined, something like this would have been impossible.”

“…Why?”

“Because nobles only could obtain senior military ranks. Why, my predecessor is a noble. A stupid, resentful, ignorant, better off dead, noble.”

William opened his eyes wide. What the hell had happened? That was the very first time that he had seen Karl act that way. Before, he wouldn’t have thought capable of such a reaction.

“…I apologize.” said Karl clearly ashamed of himself. “But that…asshole makes my blood boil.”

“…Its…”

A soldier suddenly shouted. The gorge, that had only been something unclear in the distance, was now visible to the naked eye. Its rocky walls, whose edges jutted out into dangerous, far from reassuring-looking spikes, rose in a spectacle both fascinating and terrifying that had every single member of the group, regardless of age or experience, wince. Did they really have to cross that path?

“Alright, boys. The time has come.” said Karl, who had moved in front of everybody. “Remember to keep your eyes wide open and your senses to the max. Especially to the left wall. If past records bear truth, then that is the most likely to be fragile.”

A slow murmur of approval, which had been barely audible, came from the soldiers. None felt like venturing inside that gorge, as they couldn’t shake away the feeling that they were going to walk right inside a death trap or a real danger to their lives. Nonetheless, when Karl set out slowly moving his first steps on uneven ground, no one backed down. Everyone followed behind their commander’s back, who they found calming and truth worthy; especially the veterans, who had fought alongside him for many years. They, William had no doubt, would follow him even through the gates of hell. Another problem, if William was ever going to escape. But none of that mattered now.

The mountains had come. And with them, their inherent dangers.