"My lord," a bloodied soldier fell down on one of his knees at the entrance to Salicious tent. "The Empire took the first floor."
Salicious raised his eyes and looked at the soldier for a moment before turning his head and giving Banjay a quick glance. The old general then stood up and, disregarding his crutch, walked over to the soldier and planted his hand upon the man's shoulder.
"You've done well, soldier," Salicious spoke in a calm, soothing voice. "Now, go get yourself some well-deserved rest," he recommended before raising his eyes looking out into the distance, and adding in a heavy voice, "Gods know we all need it."
"Yes, General!"
Despite several wounds marking his uniform and soft armor, the soldier stood up and straightened up his back while slamming his fist against his solar plexus in a salute.
"So it happened."
Deeper in the tent, Banjay simply sighed.
