When All You Have are Embers

XI

Earn

The commander led them down the cliffs of the mountains. The leaves under their boots crunched as they walked, There was a waterfall that drifted its mist over to the five of them, and soon their left arms were wet. It smelled like spring for the first time in a while. The sun peeked through the trees newly sprouted leaves, and kissed the tops of their heads.

The knights camp was noisy and smelled of firewood. There were men swarming around the tents and cooking stands frantically. Cane and Earn looked around carefully as the commander led them through the small paths to the largest tent in the camp. Pots of soups cooked while hung over open fires. The smells of savoury broths filled their noses as they followed Fredrick. He held the tarp over his arm as the four others walked in before him. Inside there were multiple men hovering over a map, and they looked in distress.

"This is Taiminarly, he's in charge when I'm not present. Also in charge of head chargers funnily enough." He pointed to Taimin's chest. "This is Perri. Please excuse his state prior to today he was unconscious for nearly three weeks." Cane stared at Perri as he sat in the dark of the tent. He looked worried about something. The only part of him that stood out was a single plate of his armour that was being touched by a beam of sunlight.
"And you may call me Fredrick." He said.

"Why are Elves here?" Taimin asked as he stood up straight.

"They have made an offer." Fredrick said.

"Of what kind?"

"One that I have already accepted." He placed his hand on Taimin's shoulder and smiled. "You will do what he tells you, and you will round up each man able to fight to follow his orders." He whispered in Taimin's ear. He nodded and locked eyes with Cane.

"Yes, Grand Commander." He said.

"Well then. Cane? Go ahead and tell them what you proposed to me." Cane was silent for a moment before he knew what he wanted to say. How he handled these men would spell out how the war would go for the city of Ayerki.

"We need your men to fight for Elthin in the war to come." He said. Taimin didn't react to what he said, he just stared at him. Perri had a smug, tired smile on his face. As if he was waiting for Taimin to kill them. Cane swallowed hard and clenched his jaw.

"I am in no position to turn you down." He said as he stepped closer to Cane. "But know this..." He started. "If the decision was mine to make your head would be my next trophy." He whispered. He stepped back and clapped his hands together. "Ayerki's army will fight beside Elthin once more." He said loudly. "We ride for Elthainia at tomorrow's dawn." He said. "Perri, go alert squad one."

"Yes sir." He said reluctantly as he walked out of the tent. The red fabric that the tent was made of tinted everything inside a deep cherry red, and there was a light breeze coming from the entrance.. Earn placed his hand on Cane's shoulder and smiled when he looked up at her.

"You did it." She said. He smiled and nodded. "Now we ride with them. We will bring Elthin their army." She said.

Fredrick walked up to Cane and chuckled. "I'll be joining you of course. I admire your courage, Cane. Not many men would have done what you have." He said.

"Hardly so, I fear what would have happened had you not told them you approved of me before I told them." Said Cane. Fredrick nodded and chuckled.

"The two of them are enthusiastic if anything. But nevertheless they are bound to my will. Magic has a will of it's own." He said.

"Ah, a magic seal. That makes more sense. What rank is it?"

"First of course. Nothing but the best for my soldiers." Fredrick laughed.