The Silver Seer

Chapter 40: The Beginning of the End

I sit in my dorm, staring out the window at the lightening sky, as the black darkness gives way to hues of pink, orange, and blue. Beyond the beautiful colors lie ominous gray clouds, a sure sign of snow.

In my trembling right hand, I grasp my communication device, my index finger already on the button I must press to send an urgent message. I've been commanding my officers to avoid either their deaths or the deaths of their soldiers to the best of my ability.

But it's tiring, both physically and mentally, which is why I find myself sitting and staring at something calming. Well, as calming as gray clouds approaching a sunrise-colored sky can be.

I close my eyes and try to focus on the nights I would stargaze with Reko, but just thinking about the boy brings myself to open my eyes and look away from the window. It has been about four hours since Lars' duel with General Heilewis where Reko acted recklessly and took a bullet that wasn't meant for him.

Like I told Lars, neither of them are to blame- I should have known Reko would act on his own accord like he has done many times before. And I cannot blame Lars for what occurred, as he most likely had no idea Reko would interfere. Of course, they both love one another, and I would not know the first thing about such, as both my parents never loved me.

I thought my mother did, but after meeting her in my dream the other night, I have no reason to convince myself otherwise. If she really loved me, should would have released me from the torture I was experiencing long ago.

Looking out towards the window, the landscape is dimmed by the overhanging clouds. And though several feet away, I can make out who stands upon the ground, holding his silver sword in his right hand.

Thilo.

Soldiers move past him, some finding cover behind debris with pistols and rifles, while others dash forward and meet with both German and Russian soldiers who also wield blades.

I keep my eyes on Thilo's figure as he looks out at something I can't see. He tosses his sword in the air and sends it flying forward, while yelling out a command for his troops to retreat. Knowing him, he'll ensure all of his soldiers and lower-ranking officers have retreated before drawing back himself.

So I wait as hundreds of soldiers flash past my line of sight, until only Thilo remains. Yet he doesn't even take a few steps back. His hand is still moving, so he's still directing his sword at something- I'm suspecting it's another officer or soldier that is putting up a tough fight against a flying sword.

My view is obscured by black smoke, and the last thing I can see is Thilo bringing his right hand up to catch the sword, while his left hand presses against his chest as a gunshot echoes across the landscape.

Panicking, I blink and raise my communication device closer to my face. Shakily yet rapidly turning the dial, I press the button to send a message as soon as I see Thilo's name appear. "Lieutenant Haegel, retreat with your officers. Do not engage any further with the enemy. This is an order." I summon a confident tone, hoping that, for once, he'll listen to me. He usually does, anyway.

It takes a moment, but I hear him reply. "Whatever happens, know that I love you, Felix." The line goes silent.

Fumbling with the device in my now trembling hands, I somehow manage to speak to him again. "Lieutenant Haegel, do not engage with the enemy- do you hear me?"

He knows I'm a seer, so he knows his life is in danger if I've contacted him. He's followed all the other orders I've given him in the year he's served under me, so why disobey this one? At least, I think he's intending to disobey the order I've just given him- the order that will save his life.