The Blinding

Chapter 8 - Loyaan

With each step, my legs ached and the chainmail dragged against my skin leaving painful scratches all over my tired body. The raids proved to be much longer than expected and not quite as successful as I had planned.
My squad made many arrests as we divided the peaceful protestors from the rioters, and suppressed the protests themselves. Some of the rioters, unfortunately were not as diplomatic. As we made it through the slums, bottles, trash and spit flew our way. As determined as I was to keep the peace, I could not keep the whole company under control. Fights broke out, and while a few of our number were wounded, the aftermath led many Magicians, both rioters and peaceful protesters injured in the streets with no one but their peers there to aid them. My forehead dripped with sweat from the exertion, yes, but also because of the fear that most of these Mages would end up dead, with no medical help.
Ultimately I found myself in the Warrior Wing where the company was waiting. At my arrival, the soldiers stood up at attention. Some of the men and women I walked passed carried a look of terror in their eyes. They messed up, and they would pay the price. I was livid at their lack of control and it was time they knew the weight of my wrath.
I tossed the cloth that covered my chain mail to the side. And spat on the ground, at this point the rage consumed me. Yes I was upset, but mostly the thought that I had proved Tissa right, was disappointing. The actions of the Warrior clan today were not neutral. We did not carry out the oath that was expected of the Warriors. Instead we made things worse, and that made me apoplectic with fury.
"What is the Warrior vow?" I asked them. Their lack of response only irritated me further. "What is the Warrior vow?" I asked my voice booming now. A small voice filled the silence. "Dispense justice, maintain peace and uphold the equilibrium that our forefather giants put in place," said a scrawny soldier in the corner of the room. I was impressed that he of all the menacing Warriors in the room was the first to speak, but I nodded and continued. "What part of any of that," I pointed in the direction of the slums with emphasis, " was dispensing justice and maintaining peace. Do you think that Warriors are meant to start brawls? Hmm? Do you want to join the rioters too?!" With each word my voice seemed tor grow louder until it became thunderous. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the same scrawny soldier flinch in reaction. "I have never been more DISGUSTED by a company in my life. What you all decided to do, left innocent people very nearly dead. Are you PROUD of yourselves? Do you feel victorious?" I asked in clear sarcasm.
Behind a cluster of soldiers, I heard as scoff, only to see General Magan emerge. "Who cares about those filthy tramps. We did them a favor. Death is better than living the way they do!" he laughed and clapped a Warrior on the shoulder. To his credit the man said kept quiet.
Nothing could stop me storming the general, though I could see some of the others begin to step forward. I gave them a menacing glance to back off. Grabbing the general by his uniform, I threw him against the wall, causing a few of the soldiers to scatter. "You think you're above this general?" my voice fell to a dangerous whisper. "You think you know better than the forefather giants."
"I-" he began. "Say one word against me and you'll end up worse than those 'tramps' I swear to you Magan." I said this time low enough so that only he could hear. Despite the defiance that played across his face, he said nothing. I dropped him forcefully and with a hump he crashed to the floor. I turned my attention back to the company. "Starting tomorrow at 0400, each of you will learn what the vow really means, now piss off." I gestured for them to leave with a vigorous wave of my hand. The violence was radiating off of my skin and even I was shocked at my self control.
"BOY," I heard General Magan shout from his spot on the floor. He got up and shook the nonexistent dirt off of his uniform before charging for me. If it was a fight he wanted I was more than happy to oblige. "I WILL be speaking to your father about this, how dare you challenge me in front of the others?!"
"I will challenge anyone who speaks out of turn the way you did. To call yourself a warrior is an insult to the rest of us." I said.
I saw his hand move faster than I expected, but not faster than me. I grabbed his wrist in self defense. "Watch it, BOY." I said daring him to try again. Wrenching his hand out of mine he was smart enough to walk away. Pity, I thought, I would have loved to teach him a lesson. Silently I changed out of my uniform, it was time to head back to my room and calm down. A bath was much needed.