|
 |
|
Sign Up to Submit Fictions and Earn Credibility! |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Author: Mustasio
768 Views
0 Comments
|
All of the battle elders and cadets now encircle the fire burning in the middle of the encampment. All eyes are on the biggest tent in the camp, the tactics tent. That sovereign sanctuary that Master Colpaz and Rioto retreat to every night. Even the battle elders have only been called in once. I’m often curious of the contents of the discussions held inside that tend, but at the same time I would be terrified to enter it. I glance around the circle to take a look at all the shining serious faces of the other cadets. Briefly, I feel strangely detached from the situation, as I am the only one who seems to have my eyes directed anywhere other the Master’s tent. The other children of Tunare stand as if Tunare herself were about to step from that tent. I suppose Master Colpaz is a rather inspiring speaker. He demands a respect similar to what one would give to the words of a priest of Tunare during worship. I feel as if I’m missing out on something spectacular whenever Master Colpaz speaks. I hear his words, and I feel I even grasp the concepts and ideals he tries to instill within all of us, but as an observer. I somehow feel left out, as if he doesn’t notice that I somehow am not really part of the Coalition at all, and that my service in this Coalition serves no purpose. My eyes continue to survey the scene and each face that the wavering glow of the bonfire reveals. I feel almost totally isolated in my observation of the encampment, and then my eyes find their way to the goofy twisted cross-eyed grimace of Thegalan as he stares back at me. His face quickly slings back to normal, and he flashes a full-tooth grin. He immediately faces forward and straightens his face as if ordered by an officer. I turn towards the bonfire and watch as Master Colpaz strides from his tent with the legendary Heartwood Defender sheathed in a sleek black and gold case showing only the highly decorated golden hilt; all strapped across his chest by a wide leather band. With his golden hair tied back into a pony tale and long thick strands draped across his forehead wildly, he somehow gives the impression that his original appearance had long been lost and his new visage was molded by war alone. He steps into the circle with his head down, completely focused on the papers in hand. He quickly looks up with intense and almost distraught eyes. He outstretches his arm holding the papers and hands them off to Rioto. His arm, adorned with golden bracers, hang loosely along his sides as he looks over the faces of the cadets. He circles the bonfire while the oak shroud across his cheek seems to reflect the glow of the flame. The entire encampment silently watches the Master with profound respect, and nothing is to be heard other than the crackling sounds of the flame and the steady shockwaves of Master Colpaz’s boots as he continues to pace around the bonfire. Even Rioto, with his arms crossed and his back leaning against a tree keeps his gaze fixated on the lord of the flame’s every move.
“I hope all of you slept very soundly, tonight you won’t.
We’ve reached the day and a half marker. This offensive reaches CRUSHBONE one day’s march from here, and I expect all of you to reach your designated positions shortly before night fall.” He stops his tread, pauses for a moment, then lowers his head a bit with a contemplative expression. I suddenly notice something out of the corner of my eye. I turn my head and see Maelerwyn raising his eyes upward. His expression changes to horror as he mouths something I could not make out. I direct my eyes upward, directly above Maelerwyn, and to my surprise, I spot Folin high up in a tree with an annoyed look facing down to Maelerwyn. Folin widely mouths the words “STOP LOOKING AT ME” with his lips. He then quickly looks towards me and bobs his head with a friendly smile. His expression turns serious and with his index and middle finger; points to his own eyes, then with only his index finger; jerks his hand down to signal me to direct my attention away from him. How can Folin be so reckless. What if someone notices him up there in the middle of Master Colpaz’s speech and says something. My thoughts are suddenly interrupted again by the Master’s words.
“I understand your situation cadets. Your battle elders understand your situations as well. It is important for us to understand each other in this offensive on CRUSHBONE, so that we can communicate and operate successfully without the orcs being aware of our presence at all. The opportune moment will present itself to us, and we will take the orcs before they know we are upon them. For this to happen I need all of you to serve me, to serve Kelethin and to serve Tunare. The way for you to serve what you all love so much is to serve one another. You must place faith in your battle elders and in your fellow cadets. Only by each of you working as a unit with your siege squad may we ensure the victory of the entire offensive.” Master Colpaz pauses and lowers his head once again, this time with a more emotional expression.
“All of you have trained since you were young, and you will find that your experience and skill will benefit you more than you know. Do not doubt yourself. You are the same breed that defeated the orcs long ago, and we will show them that they still are not welcome in the Faydark, our Greater Faydark created by Veeshan and bestowed on us by Tunare. So let us protect what Tunare has so generously given to us. You are all members of the Kelethin Elven Coalition, and stand as Norrath’s greatest defenders!” Master Colpaz pauses again shortly.
“Thank you for your time cadets. Rioto will now direct you further. Battle elders, join me in the tactics tent for your final briefing.” Master Colpaz briskly walks back to his tent as dawn’s first light makes it’s way through the trees, and Rioto moves out in front of the dying fire with long bow in hand. He stands the long bow up in the dirt with his arm extended and palm resting on the tip. Then, with a rugged and aggressive voice he says.
“First order of business, Folin get out of the tree before I shoot you down.”
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
