Chapter 56: To Figure Out Why (Volas)

Investigating someone for treason is one thing. To expect it from someone as high as a Dragon Master is another thing entirely. And I need to dress the part. The armour of the Army’s General. An all black plate of armour with gold trim and artistry. It is a piece of beauty as much as it is a piece of protection. It demonstrates my authority and puts people in awe. Even if the war made this armour useless. I think it is appropriate to wear it as I head to Fort Sinda.
The great cathedral inside our luxurious capital is the second most guarded building. Pretorian Guards patrol every street near the cathedral like clockwork, only changing their routine and pattern whenever the bells chime. It makes sense; they are defending the remaining artefacts of the old world and the last functional webgate connecting to Thatic. I wish they were sent to the front lines to battle against the Dogs. I am glad they are here to defend the capital in case we were under siege. It seems the church recognises that faith alone can’t protect our holy relics. Tundo and the Crystal Kingdom are prime examples.
Waiting at the entrance is my personal entourage. The rest of my forces will be waiting for me at the city, but I prefer to head off with my most trusted soldiers. They have unwanted attention; people know my guards are made up of colonists. They either don’t have our skin or don’t share our eyes. But they are the best soldiers the Empire has to offer, and I will utilise them to the best of my abilities. They can eat sand for all I care if they have a problem.
Huson approaches me to salute. ‘Everyone is accounted for, sir. A platoon is waiting at Thatic and ready to march to Sinda upon our arrival. Jack will have your carriage prepared. I also want to announce that High Priestess Tillous has just offered us an entire complement of Pretorian Guard.’
I salute him back. ‘Thank you for the report.’
We behave formally in public. I want everyone around us to see that I see Huson and the men and women under my command to be viewed in equal regard and with the respect they deserve. That even colonists will be given the highest honour among the Empire, and it wouldn’t be guaranteed that the children of Cinaris will be offered the position if they don’t have the means to prove themselves.
Before we can make our way to the cathedral to take the last webgate. A familiar raspy voice echoes from the city’s streets. ‘General, your attention, please!’
Traya!? It is strange to see her heading out here and not sending me one of her messengers. What does she want? I don’t want to be interrupted, but I hope she has something important for me to know. ‘Yes, what is it?’
She stands before me, fixing her hair with one hand while she holds a stack of scrolls in the other. ‘I apologise for causing trouble, but I have reports and messages from Commanders that deserve your attention.’ She darts her head around before returning her gaze to me. ‘This is good news, General. I don’t want to speak of them aloud, but I know that progress is being made. I can hand you the reports now, or do you wish for me to leave them on your desk?’
Finally, something good at least. But I need to focus on the investigation first, and focus on what matters the most. However, I don’t want to jinx myself and sour my mood after reading those reports.
‘Leave them on my desk. I will read them when I return.’ I reply. Besides responding, Traya gives me a subtle nod before heading off.
‘Perhaps a reward when we get back?’ Huson says to me, doing his best to hold back his smile.
I gesture to him and my soldiers to follow me to the cathedral, after giving him a nod to show my approval for his idea. However, for now we need to focus on what matters at the moment. Get our head in the game as we make our way to figure out why we are not getting the support we desperately need.

...

The portal to Thatic is quick. The city is like that of the capital. Fortified and on high alert, with soldiers patrolling the snow-covered streets. This isn’t like Balborus. The architecture here is brutal and hostile to the eyes. The stone walls are plain, and the wooden roofs on every building are a dull charcoal black. Every window is replaced with a simple brick wall. Must be some kind of weird tax law, or the city has some kind of cultural practice that allows this type of brutalist simplicity. Or maybe the people here are miserable all the time.
As we made our way outside of the city to where my personal escort awaits. Jack salutes Huson and I before we enter our carriage. The Outriders hop on horses that are given to them, though it seems they don’t appreciate the mounts provided. Not that I can blame them. Most of the Outriders take pride in looking after their own horses. Adding trinkets to their horses’ manes reminds them of their homeland. The horses of this island are strong and fine, but to them, it isn’t the same.
The Sergeant outside barks some orders, telling the men to prepare to move out as we make our way to the Dragon Fort.
I lean back into my seat, resting a hand on my chin as I mentally prepare myself for the two-hour ride. I let out an annoyed sigh. There are a million reasons why I need to be there, a million more to get myself the resources to win this war as quickly as possible.
What will kill me is the wait to get there. The seconds pass by as I try to figure out what I should even say to Wayne. Call him a traitor, a fool to not supply the Empire with the tools to fight this war? What can I even call the man who isn’t helping the cause?
‘No need to be stressed,’ Huson comments. ‘Not when we have the advantage.’
‘It is best to assume the worst. The last thing I want to be is overly confident.’
Huson nodded in agreement before looking out of the carriage window. He pauses for a moment, thinking about something before turning back to me.
‘What do you want to do after the war? Retire, change occupations even?’
I frown, unsure where he is going with this. ‘You assume we will win this?’
With a smug grin, Huson knocks on the compartment behind him before sliding the small door open so he could talk to Jack. ‘Hey, do you think we will win this war?’
Jack laughs. ‘I pray we will! And the gods came down from the heavens and told me that we shall. I must be a profit by this point with every dead Dog I see.’
‘Thanks, babes.’ Huson closes the small door before speaking to me in a calm tone. ‘I think everyone in this army has faith that we are winning this war. I won’t be surprised if we are near the end.’
‘I doubt it. Those Dogs are relentless, and they will do everything in their power to win. Let alone, we have to push south and take it back.’
‘By the time we hit the South, the war is already decided. They’ve sent most of their forces here, and what we have done is bog them down and push them back. Unlike the Dogs, we are prepared for a war of attrition, not them.’ Huson smiles; it is clear he is convinced that we are near the end.
Even if I am not so convinced about the whole thing myself. It is too early to tell. There are too many factors at play that can change the course of the war if we are not careful.
‘But tell me, Volas.’ Huson whispers. ‘What will you do when this war is over?’
I suppose it won’t hurt to answer that question. In truth, I struggle to even think of our own victory or imagine an outcome where we will all have to fight for a few more years until we destroy them or they destroy us.
‘I suppose I stick to my plan. I always wanted to become a Foreign Inspector. Maybe I’ll become one after all of this is over. What about you?’
‘Well, that is easy. I’ll stick around for a bit. I like soldiering, but I intend to go back to Thesia. Maybe buy a vineyard and relax a bit more with my officer’s salary.’
Shaking my head, I burst into a light chuckle. It is good to see him having a positive outlook and an idea of what to do after all of it. Though I admit, I wish I had more of a plan than just following my childhood dream. But in the end, I am young. A lot can change from here and now. It's best not to be stuck with the future when I should focus on the now.
‘What about Jack? Any plans on what to do together?’ I ask Huson.
He blushes, his smile is subtle but warm. ‘Maybe go on a break together. But… no, best not say it.’
I raise a brow. That is out of character for him. ‘Something wrong?’
‘Man is very determined to stick by the books. He is a good soldier and prefers to only go if his superiors tell him where to go. Let’s just say he is a Boy Scout.’
I roll my eyes. Of course, he falls in love with someone who is undyingly loyal to the Empire. ‘If it makes you feel better, I can arrange something to get him posted to Thesia once this is all over.’
‘You can do that?’ Huson says in shock.
‘I’m a General, once this war is over, I’ll go back to being a Commander. However, I think I’ll have enough influence to get Jack anywhere across the world.’
‘Isn’t that an abuse of your authority?’ Huson sarcastically responds.
Playing along, I place a hand on my chest to act like I am wounded. ‘My friend, are you going to report my corruption?’
‘Report?! I am just pointing out an observation I have made. Why would I stop something that benefits everyone?’
I nod, enjoying our little game and joking around. ‘Exactly. We all benefit from that little corruption.’
We continue to talk a bit more, having our minds escape from the fact that we are putting someone on trial. I know why he does it; he can tell I am stressed. I am struggling, and he sees it as clear as day. He might not admit it, but he is a huge softie. Maybe when this is all over, we can get drinks together. Not as soldiers or comrades in arms, but as friends.
But I need to focus, I will only reward myself when, or if, we win this damn war. Victory can only come if the Dragon Fleet is mobilised and sent out to fight in key battles. I will not allow the army to fight alone and without support for so long, not when we now have a chance to push them back.