Theme 02: Nalyn - Week 4

Yes okay so I'm a day late << I'd hoped to be mentally fit, but the morning at work was pretty grueling, with lots of people and barely any time to do the work. Plus seven hours straight is tiring @.@

Now that I'm back on my regular working schedule (which, I do hope, will last longer than a month straight << ), I ought to get back in the writing routine.

For the last week of Nalyn's theme, I decided to share a bit of writing that will allow me to smoothly transition to next month's theme. Incidentally, this event right here: it was an absolute life-changer for all warriors involved.

Chapter 10: The High Commander's orders

Corvis' battalion slowly gained a solid reputation. Corvis never quite understood when things had changed, but seeing his men's loyalty towards each other and towards himself gave him the courage and will to become a leader worthy of them all. He trained often with Malin and Nalyn, who had gotten quite close over time – "just friends," Malin had jested, "I still have a wife whom I love dearly".

He'd gained Jaen's loyalty without doing anything, except be poisoned by Jaen's acquaintances – and Jaen turned out to be a clever asset, who appreciated being a part of trustworthy people who wouldn't stab him to death in his sleep.

Liriel, however, always skirted the edges of this peculiar group, unwilling to be a part of it, yet, having nothing better to do, preferring to stick around anyway. He also knew that to desert meant certain death, and that he'd readily be recognized by authorities.

Eventually Corvis gained the reputation of a strong and fair leader, and he was contacted by the High General Ginjis who praised his achievements and notified him that the High Commander himself would be making the journey to give him new orders.

Corvis was ecstatic. Finally, the recognition he'd waited for. When the day came to meet with the High Commander, Corvis stood by his tent, his men lined up at his side.

He was stunned and disappointed when he discovered that the High Commander was a scrawny purple-haired man who looked like he'd keel over at the slightest breeze. Yet, after but minutes of discussing strategy with High Commander Eglen, Corvis understood the man was smart – really, really smart, and knew exactly what he was talking about.

Outside, Jaen occupied himself with the Commander's horse Saelen, while the others patiently waited for the strategy meeting to be over.

"You want us to… advance into enemy territory," Corvis said, incredulous, and Commander Eglen glared at him.

"Is it too much asked?" Eglen said with a hint of sarcasm, "or are you afraid?"

Corvis risked a glare. He didn't appreciate this skinny, helpless man belittling him, no matter his rank.

"Nei," Corvis answered, "I am not afraid, and neither are my men. However, I'd like to know why this village," and he tapped his index finger on the maps he and Eglen had studied. "Isn't this an agricultural village without any militia whatsoever?"

Eglen's eyes narrowed. "The soldiers are present," he said, glancing at the map, "this village provides supplies to nearby camps." Eglen pricked several flags into the map, all closeby this particular village.

"Understand this is a necessity," Eglen added, and Corvis thought he heard regret in the Commander's voice, "or we would not march upon innocents. Avoid casualties and destroy the plantations, then report back to General Ginjis. Is that clear?"

Corvis swallowed and stared at the maps, at the village, and the small purple flags surrounding it. Then he looked back at the Commander and said, "Ya, Onorae."

After Commander Eglen had left, Corvis explained the orders to his men. All but Malin looked forward to killing some Humans, and Malin spoke of his doubts with his general when evening fell.

"I know," Corvis sighed, pacing, "this is going to be a bloodbath. I don't…" Corvis closed his eyes and swallowed, and his voice shook, "I don't… know, if I can do this. I'm still a healer. Chances are innocents will fall, they'll see us coming and want to protect themselves…

"You've done this before, haven't you ?" Corvis added, turning his attention towards a somber Malin, "what is it like?"

"Corvis, you don't want me to explain."

As ordered, Corvis' batallion marched upon the small Human settlement and, as expected, they were met with resistance. The Humans seemed to know that Elshir troops were coming to destroy their crops and cattle, and fought back with the peasants' tools at their disposal. Young and old men, fathers, even young children and women and sisters, all fought the monstrous Elshir as though their lives depended on it – and all were brutally massacred. In the heat of battle, age and gender were of no concern.

Not a single Human turned out to be a soldier.

When troops came from nearby camps and discovered the bloody wasteland left by the Elshir, they vowed vengeance for the fallen. Corvis and his men were long gone, marched relentlessly until they'd returned into Elshir territory, and spoke not a word.

At the first opportunity, they all washed off their clothes and armour and the blood still smeared on their skin. To give themselves a chance to rest, Corvis rented several rooms at the local inn so they could sleep comfortably for a night. Yet none of them slept.

They all remembered the screams of terror, the desperation, the many children and women who tried to kill them – with good reason, to defend themselves and their families.

They had succeeded. Why was it such a bitter victory?