ONC 2024 Shortlister
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Just one week before his marriage with a chief bloodshaman of the Kurat's army, young surgeon Genul sees his wife, Kenit, die under his care after a terrorist attack launched by the neighboring nation.
As o...
Iron Plain - Unclaimed Territory as per the Treaty of Share of the year 1768
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Kenit stared at Commander Alakin as he flipped to the last page of the report. He skimmed through it, then lazily placed the stack of papers on the table and grimaced.
"In the worst-case scenario, only a few hours and the dead bodies of some lomuratian rats separate you from your dowry leave," he said. Satisfied with his distasteful joke, he exploded in shrieks of laughter, leaning his large body against the armchair as if it helped him breathe through the ordeal.
Kenit watched him like a mother does a misbehaved child. She had worked tirelessly for weeks to avoid compromising her wedding leave. There was no strength left in her to feign amusement over a joke at her expense. Even if it came from a high-ranking man in the army.
After several weeks of struggle, she had finally succeeded at making the commander pay a visit to the barracks in the Iron Plain. A much-needed meeting to inform the officer of the attack of the neighboring nation looming over them.
The report was there at the commander's grasp. Still, he dismissed Kenit's attempts to have a serious conversation about it. To make matters worse, the commander showed a particular interest in Kenit's too-late marriage to finally happen soon. "Believe me when I tell you most of us were convinced dowry and marriage were not things that interested you."
At moments like this Kenit wished Genul had never abandoned their dream of one day leading the Eagle Squadrons together. Her betrothed knew precisely when to use impoliteness to fend off indiscreet behavior. He could be useful to her right now.
She took in a shallow breath to quell her anger. "Commander—" At this point, the commander's laughter had turned into a series of coughs, and he struggled to loosen the knots of the ties around his neck.
Kenit continued, raising her voice, "I am not retiring. I will be back to my functions leading the Eagle Squadrons within a month. And I must make it clear that I do not fear the threat of the Lomurat State. But in my absence, the situation should be taken seriously by the Departments of Order."
