A Kaskian Story: Leaon, the Kings General

Chapter One

"How's the progress coming?" Leaon questioned Garneth as he approached the camp being built for the rebels. He watched as soldiers stood guard as rebels were being forced to construct a barrier around their temporary encampment.

"Slow. But it's coming along nicely." Garneth replied, gesturing for Leaon to follow him. "We are building a wooden wall from supplies we got in Dealay. The entrance is to the west, facing the river."

"How long until the perimeter is finished?" Leaon asked as the two walked around the outside of the wall, examining the quality. "We can't waste more soldiers to guard them another night."

"At this rate." Garneth replied, scratching his head as he calculated the progress. "They should be completed just before sundown."

"Good." The General replied, satisfied that the wall will be completed before the day is over. "Send some soldiers into Dealay and acquire tents, blankets, clothes, and food for the rebels. The air is getting cold and will only get colder."

"Why do you care about them?" Garneth asked, pointing at rebels, who were not a part of the construction detail, huddled together.

"We have a need for them, all of them. We need them to be strong and healthy." Leaon replied, waving his paw to dismiss the conversation. "Just get it done."

"Sir! There's a messenger here for you." A Kaskian soldier said while saluting the General.

"Bring him to me." Leaon ordered.

"Yes sir!" The soldier replied, signaling for the messenger to step forward.

"Sir, A message from General Kerd." The messenger stated while handing over the sealed letter.

"You're dismissed." Leaon told the messenger and Garneth as he took the letter and walked away from them.

(Leaon.

The King has sensed magic being used north of Osion and has sent me to investigate the village and neighboring area. I am leaving the capital and should be there within a week by the time you receive this. The King wants us both to investigate, you are to head south of Dealay and check the surrounding woods before Osion. After I am done in the village, I will head north, if my timing is correct, we should meet in the woods north of Osion around the same time. Since we are dealing with magic, bring half of the soldiers you have with you, leave only enough behind to secure the rebels you have captured.

This is the highest of priorities.

General Kerd.)

"Taking any chance you can to try and order me..." Leaon spat as he finished reading the letter.

"What's wrong?" Jarrant asked as he approached the General.

"Magic was sensed just north of Osion and Kerd has sent for us to help capture whomever used it." Leaon replied, crushing the letter in his paw.

"What are we going to do?"

"You and Sali will stay here and get the camp prepared for when I return." Leaon explained as he surveyed the construction of the encampment. "I will take the others and half of the regiment with me. Once the walls are secured, you shouldn't need as many bodies to keep the rebels inside."

"Do you think it's the Bermion?" Jarrant asked while following the General.

"I do not know. If it was, then he will be gone by the time we get there."

"General." Garneth all but spat the title. "I've sent for the supplies in Dealay as you requested."

"Then go get Shizrin and Reshmi and prepare to head out to Osion."

"Yes sir..."

"Why do you put up with the lack of respect from him?" Jarrant asked when Garneth was out of earshot.

"I have more important things to worry about." Leaon sighed. "As long as he continues to follow orders then I will shrug it off."

"What's going on?" Sali asked as she neared Jarrant and the General.

"We're about to head out. You and Jarrant will be in charge while I'm away. He can fill you in on the details." Leaon replied, placing his paw on Jarrant's shoulder. "When they're ready, send the soldiers to meet me on the south exit of Dealay. I will be waiting there."

"Yes sir."

"What are you looking at!? Reshmi yelled at three rebels who were staring at her. "Do you have something you want to say?!"

"Not to the likes of you!" One of the rebels replied, spitting at the ground in front of her.

Reshmi walked confidently up to the man who towered over her and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. "You trying to start something? Please try something! I dare you!"

Grinning, the man obliged her. Hand clenched, the man swung his fist towards her head. Reshmi easily leaned back, dodging the attack and quickly countered with her own, her gloved fist landing on the man's jaw, sending him stumbling backwards. The other two men charged her, swinging wildly at her, trying their best to land a hit. Reshmi easily dodged their attacks and countered with her own, kicking one man in the stomach, causing him to clutch his gut as the wind got knocked out of him. The first man returned to the fight by attempting to tackle her, only to be tripped and sent sprawling into the mud behind her. The last rebel standing caught Reshmi on her blindside, landing a hard hit across her jaw that sent her tumbling backwards. Hair covering her eyes, Reshmi grinned as she spat blood out of her mouth.

"Thank you." Reshmi told the man just before she pulled out her dagger and charged him. The rebel tried, in vain, to attack her before she could attack him. Before he knew it, her dagger was lodged in his shoulder as he was sent to the ground with such force betraying her size. He screamed in agony as she twisted the dagger before pulling it out and stabbing him in his other shoulder.

"Enough!" Shizrin yelled as she kicked Reshmi off the rebel, sending her rolling in the mud.

"Who do you think you are?!" Reshmi yelled back as she got to her feet and charged Shizrin. "This doesn't concern you!"

"Reshmi!" Garneth yelled as he grabbed her, halting her attack. "We don't have time for this! We have a mission."

"Mission?" Reshmi asked, all signs of bloodlust gone as she became excited for a new mission. "Where are we going?"

"You two, get him cleaned up and get his wounds looked at." Garneth told two soldiers standing nearby. "Shizrin, Reshmi, we need to get ready. I will explain once we're out of here."

Jarrant and Sali watched as half of the regiment left the camp, with Garneth leading as they headed to the south side of the city where Leaon waited for them. "Do you think there's a new wizard in Kaskia?" Sali asked.

"I'm not sure." Jarrant shrugged. "It must be something if Cladon is sending Leaon and Kerd with that many soldiers to investigate."

"They won't be back for a couple of weeks. Do you know what we're going to do when they get back?"

"Not a clue. I don't even think Leaon knows exactly what's going to happen." Jarrant replied, nodding to their left. "Looks like we have a visitor."

"Where are they going?" The plump Noble demanded.

"That's none of your concern." Sali replied, glaring at the heavyset man, daring him to demand anything else from them.

"Fine." The Nobleman muttered as he looked at the rebels curiously. "What about the request for supplies for the rebels? Can you tell me anything about that?"

"They will be living within the camp for a while. We don't need them getting sick or dying." Jarrant replied. "When you get the supplies here, send for us. We will gladly take them from you."

"If there's nothing else, we're very busy." Sali added as the two walked away from the man before he could reply.