When the last bag of rice soaked in Paraquat was repackaged, many soldiers felt uneasy about this method of poisoning. It wasn't that they pitied or sympathized with the bandits from The Crimson Vultures; they just felt it was a huge waste of food.
In fact, when Magnus announced "The Ten Commandments of Magnus," many soldiers volunteered to march against The Crimson Vultures. Their courage was commendable, but Magnus couldn't afford to lose any of his precious soldiers in a fight against the bandits.
Had Magnus not commanded such respect in Green River Town, those impulsive soldiers might have already charged up the mountain to confront the bandits.
"Soldiers of Green River Town, you all know about the theft of our grain by the bandits of The Crimson Vultures."
"I know you're all angry, but we can't rush into a direct confrontation."
"We've learned that The Crimson Vultures are composed of rogue soldiers who lost battles and took to banditry. Their numbers are around two to three hundred."
Magnus's speech was interrupted by a voice from the ranks: "Sir, we're not afraid of them! Those cowards who couldn't beat the Altai, Sami, Tuareg, and Celtic tribes only dare to be bandits. We'll crush them!"
The speaker was a young man named William Anderson. He had fled to Green River Town from Willowbrook Town after his family and village had suffered at the hands of The Crimson Vultures.
William's words were met with agreement from the other soldiers. Magnus raised his hand to calm them.
"I appreciate your courage. But your lives are far more valuable than those bandits'."
Magnus walked among the soldiers, stopping to ask one, "Do you know why?"
The soldier, confused, shook his head. Magnus then walked over to William and asked the same question.
William also shook his head, puzzled.
"Because your lives belong not just to yourselves but to your families and all of Green River Town."
"You need to stay alive to protect your families and the people of Green River Town."
"And your leader, Magnus!" Magnus thought, though he didn't say it aloud.
The soldiers, realizing the importance of their mission, felt a renewed sense of purpose. Satisfied, Magnus continued, "Although The Crimson Vultures are in Willowbrook Town, they stole from us, and we will make them pay."
"We will not only refuse to give them anything, but we will take everything from them."
"I will select fifty elite soldiers to escort the grain and eliminate those bandits. The rest will stay to defend the town."
Hearing there were only fifty spots, the soldiers eagerly volunteered.
On the seventh day after the theft, at The Crimson Vultures' lair, Chief Tuco was venting his frustrations on Laura Bennett. The pleasure was brief, and soon Tuco found her boring.
Thinking of the hostages taken from Green River Town, Tuco called for his second-in-command, "One-Eyed."
"How are the hostages from Magnus's grain shop? It's been seven days. Why hasn't anyone come to ransom them?"
"One-Eyed" thought for a moment, then said, "Today is the seventh day."
Annoyed, Tuco said, "Kill them all if no one comes. They're wasting our food."
"One-Eyed" agreed, but just as he was about to act, a scout ran up.
"Chief, there are people from Magnus's grain shop here to ransom the hostages!"
"How many?" asked "One-Eyed."
"Six people with two carts of grain and one cart of wine," the scout replied.
Tuco and "One-Eyed" exchanged smiles.
"They came just in time. Any later, and their people would be dead," Tuco said.
"One-Eyed" suggested, "Why not capture them too and demand more ransom?"
Tuco replied, "We can't do that. If people find out, no one will ever bring ransom again."
"One-Eyed" agreed reluctantly and went to release the hostages.
The hostages, now outside the lair, saw six strong, tanned men sitting on the carts. These were the men Magnus had specially chosen, including William Anderson. They had been warned to show no hostility.
"One-Eyed" and his men surrounded William and the others with knives drawn, but seeing no danger, he approached the carts.
"One-Eyed" thought William looked familiar and asked, "Have we met before?"
William, feigning surprise, backed away from the knife. "Sir, you have a good memory. I'm from Oakridge Village, and you visited our village several times half a year ago."
Recognizing William, "One-Eyed" lowered his knife. "Didn't expect you to work for Magnus's grain shop now."
William replied humbly, "Times are hard. Just working wherever I can find a meal."