A comforting warmth enveloped me as I stepped into the tent. A warm fire burned brightly, providing light and heat to the room. A gentle contrast to the frigid chill of snow and ice that permeated the air outside.
Atop the wooden table lay maps of the battlefield, detailing every inch of ground that was currently occupied by either armies. On the walls hung banners and flags bearing the symbols representing each army present. All adorned in different colors, hues and patterns, each depicting its respective nation. Differing from one another in subtle yet significant ways.
Seven seats were arranged around the round table, and five members of the High Command sat in them, wearing the garb of their nations proudly. Each wore the insignia of their respective countries sewn onto their garments, emblazoned in gold thread hanging across their chest from their shoulder blades. One member of the group was missing however; Admiral Arleth, leader of the Second Batallion of Bastala.
Ser Tartarus of Erinor, Commander of the Northern front, and overseer of all matters sat at the head of the table. His white hair and beard, aged by time and war, fell over his shoulders like a cloak. He stared intently into my eyes, demanding urgency as I made way to my seat on the left side of the table.
"You're late" He addressed me with a tone of displeasure.
I nodded slowly, trying not to show any signs of discomfort. "Apologies, sir."
His gaze lingered upon me for several seconds longer. Then he leaned forward and began the briefing.
"Admiral Arleth won't be joining us today, nor will she ever again." He spoke calmly but sternly.
All heads swiveled toward him in shock upon hearing that. Two of us gathered here knew Arleth on a personal level. And their faces revealed the grief in their hearts.
"Arrangements for the burial ceremonies will be postponed for the present until further notice," Tartarus continued solemnly.
"Her successor in the chain of command will take her seat on our next meeting. Until then, we must continue as planned."
We all nodded silently.
"How did it happen?" asked Logistics Officer Khasva.
"The first Batallion of Bastala was ambushed during a scouting mission last night. Nearly half of them were found dead this morning, including Admiral Arleth herself. The rest are scattered throughout the sorrounding area, some injured while others remain unaccounted for."
Khasva shook her head sorrowfully, and the rest in the room shared her sentiments.
I already knew. There was no point in dwelling on it now though. Fate had allowed me to spare these soldiers. And for Arleth's sacrifice, I vowed to honor her memory through action.
"What about the survivors?" asked Jerklas Mirosa, Lead Strategist and second in command of the Third Battalion of Tenesh.
Commander Tartarus sighed heavily before responding, "We've sent out search parties to locate and retrieve the injured. As for those who are unaccounted for, we can only hope that they'll be found soon."
Reliving this scene felt surreal. It seemed so long ago when I'd been standing on this very table.
As the room fell into a hushed silence, I couldn't shake off the knowledge that this tragic event was merely a prelude to something even darker, lurking just beyond the veil of our understanding. It was as if the threads of fate had been rewoven, weaving a tapestry of impending doom.
"And pray tell, Commander Tartarus" asked Mirosa in a tone of exasperation "Who motioned Admiral Arleth to ride alone—with her battalion of troops, mind you—into undefended territory?!" He emphasized his words with an angry glare directed at Marshal Edmund Fairwealth in an attempt to provoke a response.
"I did, Mirosa" Edmund admitted without a moment's hesitation.
"Oh, brilliant idea! Let's just send one of our most important officers straight into the front lines. Tell me, are we running a gift shop for our enemies now, Admiral?" Mirosa shot back with venom and sarcasm for the room.
Edmund remained silent and kept his gaze focused on the floor.
The abhorrent display of insubordination made the rest of us growl angrily. But none dared to voice their opinions. The stupidity behind sending one of our highest-ranking leaders out there with her squadron numbering on the dozens had set us back weeks, and none of us could deny the truth behind Mirosa's statement.
Tartarus cleared his throat loudly, bringing the tent back to order. "Enough! Mirosa"
He glared at each of us in turn, making sure we understood how serious the situation was.
"A jester has no place among soldiers, Officer" replied Tartarus, eyeing him coldly. "It would do you well to remember your position."
Mirosa's posture changed immediately upon noticing the Commander found little humor in his quip. He lowered his head and swalloed his self-amusement.
"Forgive me sir, I didn't mean to speak out of turn."
Tartarus grunted and looked away, dismissing Mirosa. Turning back to the matter at hand.
"This is an opportunity for us to capitalize on. The timeliness of the attack has led us to know an enemy encampment lies about the area. Measures are being taken to identify their position and prepare a raid. But without Admiral Arleth's leadership, we need someone to assume her role. That person will have to be you, Captain Lai."
My sank as the weight of Tartarus' words settled upon me. I knew all too well the consequences that lay ahead if I were to take on Admiral Arleth's role. The invasion, the chaos, the eventual tragedy that would claim my life once again, all flashed before my eyes with haunting clarity.
Denying direct orders from the Commander was not an option either; he was the man who gave me my title. But I wasn't going to let history repeat itself. Not after what I went through.
With shaking hands, I took the podium.
"Commander, I… I cannot accept such a responsibility."
Everyone stared at me wide-eyed. Murmur filled the air as everyone waited expectantly for me to explain myself.
But instead, I stood there frozen with fear and uncertainty, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts.
Captain Lai, don't make this any harder than it needs to be, urged a part of me. You're a soldier, act like one.
Tartarus watched me intently with concern and suspicion written across his face.
"Is there something I should know of, Captain Lai?" His expression turned stern.
I swallowed hard. "Sir, I…" My mouth hung open as I tried desperately to find the right words "I think it best if we consider our options carefully first," I said finally, "A desperate move could end up costing us more lives. We need to weigh our risks against potential gains."
That got them talking then.
"Are you questioning our planning capabilities, Captain Lai?" Mirosa demanded, looking down at me with contempt.
"No!" I quickly denied his accusation but continued nonetheless, "I'm saying we shouldn't rush things. If I am given command, I want to ensure every detail of our plan has been thoroughly considered. There are many factors at play here that must be accounted for and—"
"Speak plainly, Captain Lai" commanded Tartarus, cutting me off.
I sighed deeply. "Yes sir..."
I took a moment to think about the next words that would come out of my mouth. After some deliberating, deceitfulness seemed to be the only way forward.
"I've been working with the sell-swords for several months now, sir. And I have information that suggests the enemy forces outnumber us by far. It's likely they have scouts patrolling the forest nearby, or even stationed within our borders already."
The disbelief on their faces told me I was successful in convincing them.
"You've been working with the sell-swords in secret, Captain?" The Commander asked, his voice laced with a stern tone. "Why have you kept this information from the High Command?"
"I figured keeping quiet was safer, sir" I lied further.
"They say necessity brings Ingenuity, Captain Lai..." Mirosa interjected sarcastically, something about his words told me he didn't believe a word of what I just said.
"Well, answer me this then Captain. What makes you so confident in these reports? Why haven't you said anything until today?" He added.
He was trying to catch me out, and I wasn't prepared to face Officer Mirosa in a battle of wits. So, I had to resort to another tactic.
"You question my loyalty, officer?" I questioned, glaring at him angrily.
His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Take it as you wish, Captain."
"I must apologize then, Officer Mirosa" I started slowly. "It may have been wiser of me to expect more of you" I paused briefly, letting the anger stir deep within him "Perhaps I should have expected you to feel threatened by someone actually doing your work" I finished coldly, staring straight into his eyes.
The insult hung in the air like a noxious cloud, poisoning the atmosphere and leaving a bitter taste on everyone's tongues. Officer Mirosa is a brilliant strategist, unmatched in his ability to dissect the complexities of warfare and devise effective plans of action. But his pride was his greatest weakness. As long as I can keep him focused on petty squabbles and insults, he'll never notice how easily I slip past his doubts.
Mirosa looked away uncomfortably, unable to meet my gaze anymore. His shoulders slumped slightly, and he glared at nothing in particular while I spoke.
"If we continue with our current strategy, I doubt Bastala will be ours for much longer. Our supply lines are stretched thin, and without reinforcements, I don't see how we stand a chance against their superior numbers."
This time, it was the Commander who cut me off. "And what do you suggest then, Captain Lai?"
My heart pounded loudly in my chest, and I felt dizzy with anxiety. This was it, I thought, I had won over the Commander! All that remained was to convince the rest of them too. They needed proof, evidence that supported my claims. I had to present them with something solid before they'd listen. Something that couldn't be disputed.
And I knew exactly how to get it. One life taken that would save thousands more.
"I shall assemble a squadron of my most loyal soldiers and lead them into the woods tonight. We'll infiltrate their camp undetected, gather intelligence and sabotage their supplies."
There were murmurs around the room when I announced my proposal. Officers exchanged glances, some nodding silently, others shaking their heads in disapproval.
"We cannot risk losing yet another member of the High Command, Captain Lai" said Kashva. Her voice held a tingle of fear in her words, she clearly understood the gravity behind my suggestion. We all know the odds don't favour any who dare cross the dangerous forest beyond the plains of Bastala. Even seasoned warriors have perished there during raids and ambushes. No one has returned alive.
But I knew the things they did not. I knew the plans of the Insurgents, and I knew where they planned to strike. I could take advantage of those weaknesses to bring them low once again. To avert the massacre that awaited us if I failed to act soon enough.
Utilizing their trust in me for this deception felt strange, especially given that I had been working alongside them for years without betraying their confidence. But I chose to ignore the nagging feeling gnawing away at my conscience. After all, this was war, and lying through omission was just part of it.
Commander Tartarius peered into my eyes with distrust and suspicion; he stroked his beard as he pondered the implications. "Very well" he finally said after a long pause. "You are to assemble a team of your best warriors, and lead them out onto the field. You will bring back proof that these allegations hold merit, or else you will answer to me personally. Am I clear, Captain?"
His stern warning sent shivers running down my spine. But it didn't stop the smile creeping across my lips, nor did it dampen my excitement. I hadn't expected him to go for it. Not straightaway anyway, but this was better than I thought it'd be!
"Yes ─ Commander Tartarus," I replied, bowing low to show respect and gratefulness. He returned the gesture with a nod of acknowledgement.
The rest of the members of the High Command exchanged glances of confusion. Commander Tartarus was usually quick to dismiss such wild accusations, even when presented with indisputable facts and figures. But even then, they dare not question the authority of the commander─or risk being punished for doing so.
As the room fell into a tense silence, I could feel the weight of their expectations upon me. I had succeeded in convincing Commander Tartarus, but now I had to navigate the complexities of leading a mission based on a lie.
Commander Tartarius, his gaze still locked onto mine, slowly turned his attention to the rest of the table. His voice, low and measured, filled the room with an undercurrent of authority.
"You have heard the Captain's claims, and you have witnessed my decision." With that, he looked back at me again and continued: "Let us await news of the safe return of Captain Lai and her team"
His words hung in the air, laden with an unspoken weight. The threat was implicit, carefully woven within his statement.
"And with that, this discussion is concluded."
He stood up and motioned to the door, indicating the end of the session. Everyone rose from their seats, bowed to the commander once more─and exited the tent. Only I lingered behind.
As I turned to leave the tent, Commander Tartarus called out to me, his voice firm and commanding. "Hold on a moment, Captain," he said, motioning for me to come closer.
I paused in my tracks and turned back to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. What did he want now? Had he changed his mind about the mission?
"I don't know what game you're playing, Lai" he said, using my first name meant this tone was serious. "But I do know that you're one of the most passionate and determined warriors I've ever met. If anyone can bring about a positive outcome here, it'll be you."
I felt a lump form in my throat as he spoke. For a moment, I couldn't find the words to respond. The Commander was an important ally─one whom I respected deeply─but also a fatherly figure whose approval I craved above all else. And here he was, praising me like never before. It filled me with a sense of responsibility and purpose.
"Thank you, Commander," I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I won't let you down."
With a final nod of approval, Commander Tartarius dismissed me, and I stepped out of the tent, feeling both elated and overwhelmed by the weight of his trust.
The icy-cold winds bit deep into my skin as soon as I emerged into the open, sending chills rippling throughout my body. It took everything I had to keep myself from breaking out in a cold sweat─so i moved with haste towards my batallion's camp, eager to see their faces again─to hear their voices─the brave men and women I had failed to protect, but fate had spared.
