Two Masters (epic progression fantasy)

Chapter 18: The General

Revin came up over the hill near his camp and skidded to a stop. Down below was a squad of soldiers in red uniforms led by a man with graying hair.

The soldiers surrounded the gray-haired man and Kaiato, who was down on his knees with his hands bound behind his back.

Revin immediately ducked and hoped no one saw him. He ordered his compies to stay silent and snuck down the hill, hiding behind sporadic trees. These soldiers had long guns like Kaiato's. Their leader had no gun, just a sword and a spear with an intricately carved, but very short, haft.

Revin made his way down to a bush. He ordered his compies to surround the camp so he could use their vision to have a full view. Not only was Kaiato kneeling, but his hands were bound behind his back. The man with the gray hair had stopped pacing in front of Kaiato and crouched down to near Kaiato's level, looking him straight in the eyes.

"No, High General," Kaiato said, "I'm not a spy. I'm a fugitive."

The gray-haired man looked down at Kaiato.

"Why are you a fugitive?" the man said in a low voice, "What are your crimes? I will know if you're lying."

Kaiato nodded, "I know your reputation. Please... I am dishonored. I was framed for the murder of a nobleman. My sister helped me escape."

The man narrowed his eyes. "I know High Lord Siriyog has passed. Do we have another new monarch, eager to prove himself by plundering the tribes of Ateya?"

"No, Lord!" Kaiato said, "I am not here on Lord Siroki's orders."

"Are you a spy?" the man bellowed.

Kaiato flinched. "No! I'm just... trying to live."

"Then do you work for Jebuthar? A sharpshooter sneaking about in the forests, right as I'm about to march against his people? Seems very convenient."

"I swear it, Lord Speartip," Kaiato said, "I swear it on my life."

Revin's eyes widened. Speartip... where had he heard that name?"

"It's General Speartip," the man's voice was sharp with correction. "And stop calling me lord. Ateya has no lords. Where are you traveling and why?"

"South," Kaiato said, "to find better hunting grounds."

"How convenient, that I should run into a Koyejian Sharpshooter as I'm scouting through my northern wilderness. If your lords wanted me dead, they should have sent someone with more discretion. Your cover story is laughable."

"I swear, Lord Speartip, I am not here to hurt you!"

Omrai shook his head. "But you are keeping something from me."

Omrai stared at a silent Kaiato. "Where is your companion?" General Speartip said, "the one in the strange armor and robes?"

Revin's heart skipped a beat.

"He left, we parted ways. He headed east."

"Now that is a lie." General Speartip let out a tired sigh. He placed his hand on the short spear-haft hanging from his belt. "I do not have time for secrets."

Kaiato let out a slow breath. "He just went off to relieve himself, he means you no harm!"

"I will be the judge of that," General Speartip said. He turned and nodded at two of his men, who began looking around the camp, stepping away from the general.

Revin's heart beat faster.

"He's just a monk," Kaiato said, "As simple as he is harmless."

Revin frowned at that. He didn't think he was simple nor harmless. But why was Kaiato protecting him? He'd said that Ateyans hated Koyejihu, they shouldn't hate Revin. Their religions were close. Maybe.