They were fast approaching the command center, having seen it poke over the ridgeline as they were approaching and kicked their horses into high gear.
“If we’re delivering an urgent message we should act the part.” Shakur had said.
If they weren’t riding in at full speed the guards would’ve been hesitant to believe them when they said it was urgent and that they needed to see the Commander immediately. He didn’t like to be bothered unless it was absolutely necessary.
“Let’s go William, ride like the wind.” Shakur said, clapping his heels into the horse's side once more. It would have the chance to rest soon enough.
Shakur heard William’s horse’s hoofbeats draw farther away for a moment before picking up intensity and begin to close the gap with his own. The ground beneath him was a blur, his horse’s breaths were coming out deeply and ragged.
He patted the side of its neck, running his fingers through its mane gently, “We’re almost there my friend, you can rest shortly.” he said to it.
It tossed its head back and as if to say “I understand”, snorting loudly.
They began pushing up the hill that led to the post. It was positioned atop the tallest hill in the area with the farthest line of sight. Ambush would be impossible unless the enemy cloaked themselves in magic, however a Mage of their own placed a perimeter around the outermost part of the hill that would alert them if any being crossed it, especially those covered in magic themselves. They knew Shakur and William were here before any of the senturies would’ve seen them.
Shakur slowed his horse enough for Williams to pass, seeing as he was the true messenger it was proper for him to make first contact. He understood Shakur’s nonverbal message and readied himself, fumbling around in his bag until he found what he was looking for. It was the messenger’s badge they all had to carry with them everywhere, it helped to give them credibility and make it so whomever they requested an audience with would be contacted immediately. Without it they’d be waiting until that person decided it was convenient for them to meet, which typically took hours.
The guards were now aware of their presence and made their way to block the path, sending one of them farther down towards them, he’d be doing all the talking.
“Halt!” He screamed out, holding his arm out towards the two riders.
He was lightly armed, just a single straight sword, armored the same as William and Shakur. A thin steel plate covering his torso, steel gauntlets running from his wrist to just below the elbow and covering his shins as well. In addition he wore the standard garrison helmet, slightly different than the one the two men wore, and had a bushy black mustache that was very well kept.
They eased Their horses down from a full gallup to a canter, and from a canter to a trot quickly thereafter, walking the last few paces up to him where he waited sternly.
“We come bearing an urgent message from Major Ahmed Sir.” William said to the man, flashing his badge.
The guard recognized it immediately, “Very well, you may proceed into the post.”
He turned towards his companions at the gate, “Let them through!” He shouted.
William and Shakur nodded their thanks as they clicked their heels and their horses began moving once more.
The command post itself was nothing special. It was completely enclosed by sharpened logs planted tightly into the ground next to one another. A watch tower stood in each of the four corners along with one outside at the front gate. Two guards were stationed in each at all times, armed with bows, which could be used to ignite the signal fire twenty yards from the base of each tower towards the interior by shooting it with a flaming arrow, and short swords. They all wore the same armor as the man at the front gate. In addition to the signal fire each tower was equipped with a bell to ring, and if all else fails, one of them would vocally sound the alarm.
The interior was lined with rows of tents all housing anywhere from four men to a complete squad. There was a larger rectangular one where the food was prepared, and in the very center of the camp stood the command tent where the battalion Commander attended to business and resigned. The Mages traveling with them had their own set of tents more luxurious than the common foot soldiers that formed a ring around the command tent. All the other factions were camped separately from them, including the rest of the Mage’s. The Western war front was vast so it made sense that they had other forces able to hold the line all across it, but all the normal soldiers knew that the other factions just didn’t want to be around them. Not all of them held prejudice against them, but more often than not they did. Seeing the regulars as either a liability or below them, or both.
Shakur and William were weaving their way through the tents, there was no direct path to the command tent unfortunately.
“Out of the way!”
“Move aside!” William and Shakur were both calling out much more often than they would’ve liked.
Another line of guards surrounded the command and Mage’s tents.
“What business have you?” One asked.
William showed him his badge, the same as before, “We come bearing an urgent message from Major Ahmed, we need to see the Commander right away.”
This time the guard pondered a few moments.
“I believe he’s in council right now and asked to not be bothered, you’ll have to wait I’m afraid.” He finally said.
“Well that won’t do.” Shakur thought to myself.
William was in a state of shock, he quickly dismounted. “What do you mean we have to wait? It’s urgent, he needs to hear it.”
“I’m afraid it’ll have to wait Messenger.”
William was on the brink of panic, Shakur guessed he’d never been denied his request before.
“Not good.” thought Shakur.
“But-” William began.
The guard cut him off, his anger beginning to show in his face, “I said it’ll have to wait! The Commander has important matters to discuss and isn’t to be bothered.”
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An idea sparked in Shakur’s head, whether good or bad had yet to be determined. Without taking time to think it over he swung down from his saddle and grabbed William by the arm, striding past the guard.
“Hey! What the hell do you think you’re doing!” He shouted after them, moving to chase the two men down.
Shakur turned to him, “It’s as you said. The Commander has important matters to discuss, and we come bearing those important matters. Good day Sir.” He finished in a taunting tone, quickening his step.
The guard stopped dumbfounded, having not expected them to do that, nor knowing what to do now that they had. Shakur knew they couldn’t afford to waste this opportunity so he drug William along even more hastily, darting inside the front of the tent.
“Are you crazy!?” William shouted at me.
Shakur put a finger over William’s mouth, “Hush, you wouldn’t want to anger the Commander with your screaming now would you?”
A wave of realization washed over his face, he gave up protest immediately thereafter.
“What were you thinking?” He asked much more calmly.
“I wasn’t.” Shakur said frankly, shrugging his shoulders.
His eyes went wide, “What do you mean you weren’t!” He started raising his voice towards the end.
“Lower your voice dammit what did I tell you.” Shakur said irritated. “The idea popped into my head and I knew it was the only hope we had of passing this message along in the time period it was intended to.”
William sighed deeply, but made no remarks.
“Very well.” Shakur began, “Now that that’s settled let’s go talk to him.
He turned and they began making their way through the tent. It was a very large, multi room tent with cloth walls. At the front, where they currently were, was nothing more than an empty room lined with coats and weapon stands to place your belongings on. Shakur, and William for that matter, had almost forgotten weapons were forbidden beyond this room except in times of attack.
“Swords.” Shakur said.
William got the message and they both set their blades and helmets on a rack.
The next room was for reception, it was much smaller than the previous and next, there was a younger lady with dark black hair sitting at a desk in it. William flashed her the badge and she motioned them to pass. They walked through the hallway, which arced like a circle around the central conference room, muffled voices could be heard beyond it. That was their destination. There were two final guards on either side of the doorway armed with short swords.
“State your business.” Said the one on the left. His face was covered in scruff.
Shakur spoke this time, “We come bearing an urgent message from Major Ahmed Sir, we need to speak with the Commander.”
William held up his badge once more.
“He has requested not to be bothered, he’s discussing important matters with two of his senior staff members right now.”
“I understand that Sir, but as I said we come bearing important matters as well.” Shakur responded.
The guard was in a difficult position he knew, no matter his decision he could face repercussions. Whatever he decided Shakur would have to abide by, he couldn’t exactly go barging in on the Commander during an important meeting without permission.
“What’s all the commotion outside?” A voice asked from in the room to the group of men.
“There’s two messengers here to see you Sir, they claim they have an urgent message from Major Ahmed.” The guard responded.
There was a brief pause.
“Very well, let them in.” he said.
William breathed a sigh of relief over Shakur’s shoulder.
“Yes Sir.” said the guard, waving the two of them in.
They hurriedly stepped into the room. It was well lit, the skylight flap was drawn open. The Commander and two of his senior staff were huddled around a large table in the middle of the room. From Shakur’s angle it looked as though they were studying the map of their forces on the Western front. There was another person whom Shakur didn't recognize, he was well aware of the other's.
He saluted.
"State your names and rank." Said the man to his left, he was battalion Major Nelson, second in command.
"Sir, I am Sergeant Shakur Hassan with 3rd Delta Squadron."
"And I am William Salah, Messenger under Major Ahmed's command."
"At ease." Said the Major.
"I recognize the name Hassan, that's the surname given to those taken in at the King's orphanage who's parents are unknown, correct?" Said the Commander.
"That's correct Sir." Shakur answered.
"Pardon my intrusion, I mean no harm by it." He responded.
"Pay it no mind Sir, however your apologies mean much." He bowed his head slightly.
"If we could move this along please. We're very busy here" Said the third man, annoyance all too evident in his voice.
He was a Mage. The head Mage of those deployed with the normal soldiers belonging to the battalion, Grand Frost Mage Belthorn. Belthorn was well known for having a short temper when it came to dealing with the normal folk outside of Major Nelson and the Commander.
"Yes Sir." Shakur said before continuing, "Major Ahmed has sent us here to report a sighting of thirty-five Beast-Warriors along route 6. They've already massacred one full squadron."
"And you know that for a fact?" Asked Major Nelson.
"Yes Sir I do, it was my squad. I'm the only survivor."
"So 3rd Delta Squadron is gone?" It was the Commander this time.
"Yes Sir."
Belthorn interjected now, "How is it that you managed to survive?"
Shakur took a moment to swallow his pride and then answered. "By sheer luck unfortunately. They knocked me unconscious and must've thought I was dead. I woke up to the sound of Major Ahmed's men approaching shortly thereafter."
The room went quiet as the three men before them all started analyzing the situation.
"How far away did this happen?" Asked Major Nelson.
"A little over thirty minutes using the soldiers' ride pattern."
William spoke up for the first time since introductions, "Major Ahmed said he'd be continuing down route 6 until they found a good position to hold out in, my guess is he doesn't want to risk travel in open ground with a group of Beast-Warriors that large on the prowl."
"No I don't think he would. He's much smarter than to risk that" Said the Commander.
Ahmed seemed to be well regarded amongst those present Shakur realized, not that he could blame them for it, Ahmed seemed like a dependable man and a good leader.
"He also has a request." Said William. "He would like a full squadron sent to him as reinforcements, thirty-five Beast-Warriors could certainly wipe out his Company if they catch them off guard. The extra squadron would help deter attack while we move to the frontlines."
William left out one important detail about his request, though Shakur had no way of knowing if it was intentional or accidental. But regardless he had to bring it to light.
"There's one other part of the request he gave us. He asked for one to two Mages to be sent along with. It's reasonable to assume there are more packs of those savages roaming around. If they converge and then launch an attack we'll stand no chance, with or without the extra twenty-one men." He added in the last part myself, even if it was a logical conclusion to come to.
Belthorn was livid at that request.
"Absolutely not will my Mages be sent. We already have few enough as it is, we can't afford to send them with a squad of regulars. Not only will their talents be wasted protecting you weakling but should they die in the process it would be an absolute disgrace!"
"Belthorn!" Boomed the Commander, "That's enough!"
"Watch your tone with me Commander Margrat. You seem to forget that I outrank you."
"And you seem to forget you were placed here under my command. My authority here is absolute. Now you will do as I say and shut your trap." Commander Margrat's face was bright red, a vein was beginning to pop from his forehead.
He took a deep breath to regain his composure before addressing William and Shakur.
"I understand the importance of his request Sergeant Hassan, but I'm afraid I can't fulfill it."