They were fast approaching the command center, having seen it poke over the dunes as they traveled, urging their horses faster.
“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 may have been hesitant to believe they needed to see the Commander immediately. He didn’t like to be bothered unless it was absolutely necessary.
Shakur clapped his heels into the horse's side once more. It would have the chance to rest soon enough.
Shakur heard William’s hoofbeats draw farther away for a moment, before picking up intensity to close the gap with his own. The ground beneath him was a blur, his horse’s breath deep 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.”
It tossed its head back and snorted loudly, as if to say, “I understand.”
They began ascending up the hill that led to the post. It was positioned atop the tallest hill in the area with the farthest line of sight, making ambush the most difficult. The only way in undetected was cloaked in magic, though the camp's Mages had wards in place to defend against that possibility.
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.
His messenger's badge.
An item they were all required to carry on their person at all times, granting them credibility in their requests to be seen 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 covered his torso, steel gauntlets running from his wrist to just shy of the elbow, as well as guards along the wearer's shins. In addition, he wore the garrison branches helmet, differing in minute ways from the one atop the other two’s heads.
They eased their horses down from their gallop, walking the last few paces up to the guard, 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 through the gate.”
He turned towards his companions at the gate, “Let them through!” He shouted.
William and Shakur nodded their thanks, clicking their heels so that their horses knew to begin moving once more.
The post itself was nothing special. Completely enclosed by a wall of sharpened logs. 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 fires at the base of each tower, and short swords. In addition to the signal fire each tower was equipped with a bell to ring.
The interior was lined with rows of tents, all housing anywhere from four men to a full squad. The chow tent dwarfed those used for living. In the very center of the camp stood the command tent, where the battalion Commander attended to business and resigned. The Mages assigned to the battalion each had their own much more luxurious living tent, which formed a ring around the command tent. All the other factions and battalions were camped separately from theirs, including the rest of the Mage’s. The Western front was vast, spreading the army thin.
Shakur and William weaved their way through the tents, no direct path existed between the gate and their destination.
“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 Commander Margrat 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 himself.
Shock spread its way across William's face, 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.
“But-” William began.
The guard cut him off, anger beginning to show in his face, “I said it’ll have to wait! Commander Margrat has important matters to discuss and isn’t to be bothered.”
An idea sparked in Shakur’s head, whether good or bad had yet to be determined. Without taking time to think 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.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Shakur turned to him, “It’s as you said. Commander Margrat 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 the brief opportunity, 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 Commander Margrat with your screaming now would you?”
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.
William’s 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 to make his 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, 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. A younger lady with dark black hair sat 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. Two final guards on either side of the doorway armed with short swords were their final obstacle.
“State your business.” said the one on the left, his face 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 very well 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 drawn open. Commander Margrat 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 forces on the Western front. There was another person whom Shakur didn't recognize, he was well aware of the others.
He saluted.
"State your names and rank." said the man to his left, the senior officer in the battalion behind the Commander, Major Nelson.
"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 whose 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 said, bowing 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 the head Mage of those deployed with the battalion, Grand Frost Mage Belthorn. Belthorn was well known for having a short temper when it came to dealing with the normal soldiers, 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 Commander Magrat this time.
"Yes Sir."
"How is it that you managed to survive?" Belthorn interjected.
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 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.
"He also has a request," said William. "He would like two full squadrons sent to him as reinforcements, thirty-five Beast-Warriors could certainly wipe out his Company if they catch them off guard. The extra manpower 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 squads." He added in the last part himself, 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 that few regulars. Not only will their talents be wasted protecting you weaklings, 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 beginning to show 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."