It was the last day in the training camp, and we were all busy making our preparations to leave. There had been a report come down that we would be joining the main force for our first battle. It would take us only a day to arrive at the main force encampment, so Laurec decided that we would pack up and start the journey a day earlier than expected. After running it by the Lieutenant, the plan was approved.
My squad had improved by leaps and bounds when it came to our teamwork, not just in fighting but in chores and morale as well. The only holdout was still Jack, who maintained a steely attitude when it came to the rest of us. She was pulling her weight; of course no one could call the older woman lazy, but she didn't socialize with the rest of us either. We were the first squad to have all of our stuff packed and ready, and I had Grace help me organize everyone so that I wasn't running around micromanaging everyone.
Laurec was still just looking for a reason to fire me from my position and move me to another squad, but I hadn't given him that reason yet. 'I'm gonna fight through this war with my friends.' We all fell into our position in the formation, and I checked everyone over to be sure that no one had forgotten anything. Once I knew that my squad was good I went and reported our status to Laurec. He rolled his eyes at me and shooed me away quickly.
The rest of the squads were ready after about half an hour, but before we headed out, the lieutenant wanted to talk to us. The woman stood in front of our platoon and cleared her throat.
"You are about to go to war." She began. This was an obvious statement. We all knew that, but none of us moved or spoke while she was talking. "Some of you may have dreams of glory. Some of you may just want to survive. I'm going to tell you if you work together like you've been taught. If you put your trust in your leaders and the soldiers that you have trained with for the last week, you will do just that. Stick together, maintain your discipline, look out for each other, and you will have a much higher chance of surviving. You will reach those heights of glory!" With that, a cheer came from a few of the soldiers in formation.
I looked to my left, staring down the line at my old friends and my new ones. My eyes landed on Tim and his eyes caught mine. He gave me a small smile, and I returned it. We hadn't really gotten the chance to talk since all of this began, I was so busy with my new responsibilities as a squad leader, and he was focusing on his own training still, though I was happy that he was here.
"Let's move out!" Laurec called from the front of the formation. We began running, following behind his horse. The pace was even faster than when we had traveled to the training area, but this time no one was falling out, not even Nate. Just in case, I had mixed some restorative potions for everyone in the squad, but everyone was already doing fine keeping up. It may have only been a week since we got to the training area, but everyone worked their hardest, and it was clear that there were results.
****
Miles away in the enemy encampment, two men were engaged in a heated debate.
"There's no way that we can use it!" A tall, burly man yelled, his face turning red with anger. "It would be a crime to the world, and dishonor would follow our nation for generations!" The other member of this conversation was a small, wiry man wearing a black robe.
"We must use it, you, overgrown dolt! This kingdom that we are facing is unlike the others that we have battled in the past. They are incredibly strong and have managed to produce adventurers such as the Poison Queen who can devastate entire platoon-sized elements single-handedly." The bigger man rolled his eyes at his opponent for this debate.
"So what you're saying is that you're scared? And for that, you would unleash this monstrosity upon the world? Can you even control it?" The thin man took a deep breath and steeled himself.
"I am the Demonic Beast Master, and there is no monster that I can not control. You speak to me as if I am a lesser beastmaster!" The burly man was about to add another argument whenever a third voice intervened.
"Enough!" The voice commanded. The moment that the word had been spoken the two men fell to their knee in a show of respect. "You can debate all night if you wish but at the end of it the decision will be mine alone." There was an echo of "Yes your majesty." from the two men who only seconds ago looked like they were going to be at each other's throats. "Foley, you are correct it would be a crime against humanity to use such a monster." These words were directed at the large man.
Foley raised his head to send a boastful look to the other man but before he was able to the man in charge continued.
"On the flip side Harris is also correct, it may be our only opportunity to win this war. If we want to continue to spread the glory of our kingdom we may have to use it." Harris sneered at Foley, and Foley met his gaze with a scowl. "Here is my decision." The man who was clearly the monarch over these two men spoke up. "The beast will be used if it appears that we may lose. I will be known as a tyrant before I will let my country fall into obscurity in the recesses of history." Foley and Harris had no choice but to accept the King's decision.
It was fair in their eyes, they both got an answer that slightly screwed them over, but was acceptable. They bowed deeply to the king and exited the tent.