They made haste to get out from under the looming mountain range, and Azrael navigated them through a track he figured to avoid where the Arkhosian army would have been traveling. Before many days had passed, they crossed the trail of the advancing troops, and although the trail was several days old, tension levels were certainly high. It was a welcome relief to finally begin passing through townships which were safely behind the borders of the Empire, and to reach home after three weeks’ travel.
During their ride, they never saw the drake formation pass over – he didn’t really expect to. It was, as he remembered an old cadre officer tell him, an awfully big sky. Their route also was not likely to carry them close to that group’s flight path, so it came as no surprise that he never saw results from his effort. Food was beginning to run short, and even he was growing tired of cold pork by the time they pulled through the gates of the forward camp they’d departed so many days ago. He felt as though they’d been gone for months, but the springtime had barely the faintest sense of summer to it as he dismounted. Above, huge puffy white clouds showed deep grey underbellies, ripe with the promise of a sharp afternoon storm. Around him, the green forest trees all buzzed with an annual cicada’s susurrus.
Seeing that his men had the horses handled, he sent a runner to find commander Mahar. Shortly after, Balenor appeared from the command tents and moved to him. “Captain. Mahar is unavailable, he is leading the attack against the Arkhosian forces now. Left two weeks ago, actually. Report, please.”
Azrael explained all that had transpired since his departure. During the conversation, they moved indoors to the sand tables, and drinks were brought.
“Oh, and sir, Vargan Lightweaver asked me to personally convey his regards to you.”
“He did, did he? Anything else?”
“No sir, he didn’t elaborate. He did mention that the two of you had crossed paths some time ago, and that the meeting was not necessarily one of enmity.”
“Hmph. I suppose that is one way to look at it. And before you ask, no, I will not elaborate. I hold no grudge, but this is not the time for me to be relating old stories.” Balenor glanced up from his plots and maps. “You are aware that no drake reinforcement arrived to aid the Arkhosians?”
“No sir, I had no information beyond what I brought with me. I have come here immediately after leaving Stormhowl. It brings me a great deal of satisfaction to know we were successful.”
“Yes, you were. Mahar is expected to win a rather resounding victory for us this month. If he presses the attack as I instructed, he will break the back of the Arkhosians and rout them from the entire theater. We’ll be able to set pickets and close the noose, freeing up this entire regiment to move to the Southern fronts.” His left eye swiveled back to the maps. “Contingent on that success, I will be promoting Mahar to the rank of general, and putting him in charge of the entire force.”
“As you wish, sir.”
“And, lest you think for a moment that I’d forgotten my promise, I have something for you here.” He drew out a rolled parchment with a blue wax seal on it. He held it out, and Azrael took it. He then handed him a pair of steel epaulettes. “I want you to congratulate your team personally, Commander. Each of them, and yourself, deserves an appropriate reward. In this document are instructions to the supply division, and a note drawn against Imperial funds that the paymaster will grant – each of them should receive the bonus as you deem fit.”
“My Lord, this is most generous.” Azrael’s eyes looked to the rolled document in his hand.
“Nonsense, it is fulfillment of a contract. I offered, you delivered.” His level gaze could have almost been human, if not for the flames that trickled up across his scalp.
“As you say, sir. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just glad Mahar didn’t have to deal with the drakes. The man is a genius on the ground, but throw aerial forces at him and he can stumble. You’re to never repeat that, by the way.”
“Yes, sir. Anything further for me, sir?”
“Just get cleaned up. You smell like your horse was dragging you on the road behind it, rather than on it. When you’re ready, I expect you to offer a briefing on the situation to the general staff this evening in the officer’s canteen. When Mahar returns, I want them all aware that we’re going to be moving our entire base of operations in short order. And Commander,”
“Sir?”
“Well done. I knew when you signed on you were a good decision. Thank you for proving me right.”
“Glad to be of service, sir.” Azrael saluted, turned, and left to find his team.
