Stormhaze

Chapter 29: Commander of Rykes

Edras was sitting by a campfire surrounded by the Rykic soldiers he had suddenly found himself in charge of. But as time moved closer to sunset, he couldn't help but feel somewhat out of place, undeserving of his new position. The Rykic soldiers had been nothing but loyal, even when faced with losing seventy of their numbers in one night. However, Edras also remembered Lorin's words from long ago...

'In Ryken only results earn respect.'

They were far from Ryken now, but still, only a fool would ignore words like that when tasked with leading an assault with a company of Rykes. What had Edras really done to earn the soldiers' respect? He couldn't think of much. He had saved Gillien and Zenobia's life, twice now, and was proud of that fact, but could he really claim to know that the soldiers would follow him even in the darkest of hours?

He couldn't wait to give the reigns of leadership back to Lorin. But for the moment she was still in captivity—or so he thought—and in her absence, he was the only one that could truly bridge the gap between Ryken and Alecaria. But what results could he give them? How would he earn their respect? By simply blowing up a few gunships? Edras wasn't so sure...

He found a familiar face by the campfire—Verigan. The white-haired, dark-skinned, and red-tattooed Mizdraki man was smoking his pipe like he usually did in the evenings, eating and resting to prepare for the night ahead. The doctor had spent several days and nights among the soldiers, tending to wounds and potential illnesses. Edras considered asking the soldiers for answers on what to do, but he thought it would be more tactful to first ask Verigan. He wanted to earn their respect—not beg for it.

Edras sat down by the doctor, biting the inside of his lip. "Verigan," Edras began, hesitating somewhat. "Do you have a moment?"

Verigan breathed in from his pipe, looking at Edras through round glasses perched atop an aging nose. A curl of smoke danced from his lips. "Always. What's on your mind?"

"I bet you've seen different kinds of leadership in your time..."

Verigan's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, observing Edras patiently before responding. "Yes, I've seen a fair share. Heroes to heretics, as they say."

Edras looked into the fire, watching as the flames danced and flickered. "Well, I can't help but wonder... what is it, exactly, that makes someone worthy of leading others?"

Verigan smiled warmly. "You are asking what you should do, now that the burden of leadership has been placed on your shoulders?"

Edras nodded, eyes almost searching for answer in the embers. "If I knew, maybe it would make all the difference here, with these soldiers who are now depending on me. If you were in my position, what would you focus on? I don't have Lorin's experience, or the lifetime these veteran soldiers have had."

Verigan tapped the ashes from his pipe onto the ground and considered the question. "I won't sugarcoat it for you—there's no quick guide to being a great leader. Sometimes you're forced into it, and you must wade through the muck and hope you come out the other side a better man for it."

It was the answer Edras had feared. "So what should I focus on then? What makes a good leader in your eyes?"

Verigan locked eyes with him. "It's not about what's in my eyes, but in theirs," he gestured toward the Rykic soldiers around the campfire. "I won't bore you with what you already know, such as understanding when to listen and when to act. From what I've seen, you already know this by heart. However, there is one quality all great leaders possess. For good or ill."

"And what quality is that?" Edras asked, growing eager for the answer.

"First you need to know where you stand with the soldiers, and as any doctor will tell you, sometimes the patient needs to learn the hard truth before we can start solving the problem. These Rykic soldiers are loyal—but not to you. They are loyal to Lorin because she is the only one who can guarantee Ryken's independence. From the stories they share, she has proven herself time and again. You've done incredible, Edras, and be proud of that fact. However, leaders are not chosen simply because they are the last one standing."