The Burden

In an age that was eventually forgotten by time there was, in a land enraptured by war, a young man who sought to join his nations forces to fight for his faith, his God and his nation. The young man was named Jericho. Jericho was a fair young man of 16 when he enlisted in his nations forces. He was noble of heart and kind of soul. An upstanding man who wanted only the best for the good people around him and in his life. On Jerichos first mission after he had completed his initial training he partook in a very bleak and gruesome battle, many of his friends and comrades were laid low and many an innocent civilian was caught in the fog of war. After the battle Jericho found a huddled family of a mother and 3 children. Hiding in a crumbling house with what could only have been their fathers hewn body at its entrance, no doubt killed protecting his family. Jericho approached his superior and spoke, "sir we have a family. They are unarmed and only women and children. They are not soldiers we must aid them for they are innocent civilians and they now reside in the lands of our kingdom." Jerichos commander looked at him solemnly and said "Son this is a war zone and we are not a caravan. I understand your Concern as it is admirable but there is simply no way we can accommodate them. We have not the resources, hell we barely have what we need to sustain this campaign to it's winning end." But as Jericho was prepared to turn away in defeat, his team sergeant strode up to their commander and began to speak. "Sir, private Jericho is a soldier of character and is asking the right questions. We cannot allow these new people of our kingdom to suffer as soon as they become our regents. We must be gracious to them and give to them the joy and happiness they deserve after such horrifying events." The commanders face hardened but then unstrained and he spoke "very well, but they are your responsibility, as will all others that you seek to care for be" the team sergeant smiled and placed his hand on Jerichos shoulder and said "don't worry, we will make things right and we shall bring joy to these people."

Jericho smiled and felt joy. He wanted to see these people's lives improved, he wanted to them to feel the joy and safety that he knew living in his kingdom and serving his people. As the days, weeks, months and eventually 2 years wore on in the campaign Jericho became weary and tired, but unable to sleep, as the battles had begun to take their toll on his mind and eventually his dreams. One night as he wandered in a somnolent state to boil a pot of coffee he heard something what sounded like moans and cries. Jericho was fully awake now and very confused as they weren't near a town and the rest of the camp was asleep so there was no ambush. As he wandered through the camp he became more alert of his surroundings and recognized the sounds as coming from women and children. Concerned and angered now he broke into a  jog towards the noise and clutched his sword. As he got to the origin of the noise he realized he was at the team leaders camp circle. Confused he approached the tent where the noises originated. He flung open the entry flap expecting to begin a skirmish with an assassin who'd killed his leaders but what he saw would hurt and scare him far more than any fight could.

Before his was a grotesque sight. The team leaders of his other sister squads and his own trusted team leader taking advantage of the civilian women and children, raping them and even beating them. Jericho was shocked he dropped his sword and stumbled back in bewilderment. Those partaking in the sick acts stopped and looked at him with eyes like cornered animals but Jerichos Team sergeant looked at him with confusion. "Jericho? What are you doing here it is the middle of the night when no alarm was raised, why are you here?" Jerichos eyes rose from the horror they beheld and met his team sergeants eyes. "I...you....sergeant I should ask you much the same. You...those two years ago you asked to....you offered to help these people OUR People...why..how how could you do this? What possessed your senses to think this was ever a good idea?" Jerichos team sergeant spoke, putting on his pants and said "Jericho you're a good kid and an even better soldier. Just don't worry about this, just go back to your section and forget you saw this. Things like this don't need to concern you." Jericho was baffled, he was hurt and he was enraged. "You...you want me to just walk away. Turn and go back to my tent like a spineless fool? No! I will not. We are here to bring peace and prosperity to the nations we conquer in the name of our nation and our Lord! You would tarnish such things by acting as a monster? As a demon in human skin?!" His team sergeant approached Jericho "And you, young corporal, what would you do to stop it hmm?? You must understand that those of us in leadership and those of us with a libido have needs And these people are in our debt. They're paying their debt and WE are providing them with the Joy and Happiness that only we can! So why don't you go now. Turn around and leave." The words rang in Jerichos head, they pained every corner of his mind and shook him "the Joy and Happiness." Those were the same words he spoke to him when advocating for the care of those civilians. He now understood what they truly meant, the twisted and sick meaning behind them and the poison in the smile of the man he called leader, the man he even called friend. "Very well...the commander will know of this" Jericho spoke. But his team leader laughed and said in retort "go then young soldier, surly the commander will believe the head of his most trusted squad for years over the one who has become known as 'the wild blade' during battles. You may have his ear but you have not his trust. Do not forget young Jericho it was I who had to rein you in during previous battles to stop you from almost KILLING Some civilians! This is how I chose they can repay me. You may go tell the commander and see how far this gets you!" Jericho looked his Team sergeant in the eye and simply spoke "very well" to him, then turned and left the tent. Making his way back to his tent he was a swirl of emotions. Pain, rage, confusion, betrayal, shame all whirled within him and above all he thought to himself, could a man who he knew for so long and became so close with have actually been a completely different person, could he be a lie in human form? Jericho was determined to let his commander know, a man who he knew that, though he was stern and disgruntled, was fair and empathetic.