Tales of the Travellers

2

I was in the same group as Ami was. But unlike Ami, who was chosen to be a proper field solider, I was an explosive expert consulting the Commander, the artillery manager and field strategist. I was in what I called the 'Planning Tent,' which was where the Commander and all the big wigs consulted each other for the next move to make in the battlefield.

I didn't really have a real say in what happens, I was only ever to talk if they suggested using some sort of explosive on the enemy or for soldiers to carry them in their backpack and so on. There was once they wanted to use my explosives to cave in a small canyon pathway to prevent the enemy from coming through there.

But the problem with that was if we collapsed the canyon pathway for the enemy to come through, it also collapsed the canyon pathway for the locals, which was the shortest way for them to sell their goods to the next town.

I made an excuse for the explosives they wanted to use, but the idea was on the backburner until further notice.

"We've have scouters look around this area," one of the men pointed to the large map on the table. "This is deep in enemy territory but there have been no sightings of people or weaponry of the enemy for over two months. We believe it would be safe to go through with some troupes while we can and attack them from the inside with the right amount of troops."

Nicky listened to this carefully. Surely they won't...

The whole situation was too convenient to be this simple.

But the Commander seemed to nod, "It is a rare opportunity coming to us here." He leaned forwards on the map. There was more discussion about the whole affair, and soon he slammed a closed fist down on the map. "Alright, we'll send in ten group's altogether. One to see if this is too good to be true, and then send the others after them to advance. If we play our cards right we'll be able to attack one of the main branches of the enemy."

I wasn't really one to object, but Ami was part of Troop one. And what's more, even if the pathway was clear, the ten other troop groups being sent would likely get slaughtered. Ami could get killed!

"No!" I almost yelled, it was a lot louder then I originally intended, but everybody looked to me either with annoyance or frustration.

"What was that, solider?" the Commander snapped at me.

I stepped forwards and shook my head. "You can't do that! It's too convenient, too obvious. The enemy isn't stupid, they've probably done that deliberately! So if you send those troops forwards they'll get killed! And even if the pathway turns out to be clear sending ten lots of soldiers won't be enough to fight them, they'll all be slaughtered!"

The Commander stood up and glared at me, he was taller than me, wore an intimidating hat and matching uniform. He wore his metals with obvious pride, and when he approached me his chest puffed out to subconsciously remind me of my position.

"This isn't your place to say."

"And it isn't your place to send human beings into a battle you know they'll be killed in," I snapped.

The Commander was in my face at this point. "You don't have the authority to object here, solider. So you need to know your place. We can't not take this chance that the enemy is giving us. We've sent scouters ahead and they've reported no enemies in the area! And I'm going to lead the first group."

"You?" I wasn't shocked, but I was surprised by how invested he was in this plan, in this idea. How was he so ignorant to the fact he may be killed as well?

The Commander nodded, "Yes. Me. You are not a Commander, you are just some jittering little solider who was tricked into the army like the rest of them. But unlike you, some of them actually want to do their jobs and save the ones they love."