A Losing Victory

Part 1 - The War of One

The battlefield stretched as far as the eye could see, laid out before Thorne Garrett like an old fashioned map. From the Kilu Mountains on his left to the great Lake Ecli on his right, men fought, bled and died for the Brotherhood. The reason for which they battled and raged was different from solider to soldier. For some, it was the lure of gold; others, pride for their family... Some simply wanted to kill. A thirst for blood sated only out there on the muddy fields. A means to an ends.

"Hail, Thorne!" A gruff, masculine voice called from behind. The Captain's mind snapped back into the present as his head turned. Vibrant golden irises settling on the source of the voice.

Kirin Jeyati was one of Thorne's closest and only friends. They had been like brothers growing up, commonly referring to each other as such, albeit they were not related by blood. A young man of twenty six, he was wearing a general's attire. On him it looked stylish and practical all at once, consisting of a forest green tunic with the golden wings of the brotherhood emblazoned on the breast above pressed pants and faintly scuffed leather riding boots. 

Despite being only four years older than Thorne himself, in that moment Kirin could have comfortably passed as being in his fortieth summer. Dark bags hung under deep green eyes, his lips drawn into a thin line, the indents of a constant scowl beginning to form at the corners of his mouth. 

A smile tugged up one corner of Thorne's lips as he turned, a hand clasping Jeyati's shoulder. 

"Hail, brother." He replied gently. A cursory glance passing over his friend before he sighed, turning back to the battle. The General stood at his side a moment later, assuming a relaxed but formal stance with hands clasped behind his back that mimicked Thorne's own.

"We should be down there, you know." A soft, deep murmur that spoke the thought on both their minds. The prospect drew a deep breath from Garrett's chest as he dutifully shook his head. Their place was up here, devising the strategies that would win them the war. Down there was merely one small battle of many.

Mira's hand! Just a small battle? There was nearly seventy thousand men down there!

The thought was pushed aside, it would not help him now. Nor would risking himself or Kirin in the onslaught just to increase their chances. He said just that.

"Blast it, Thorne!" Such an outburst was uncommon of Kirin, earning a raised eyebrow from his friend who glanced over at him. The muscles that lined the General's jaw stood out, his teeth grinding. He took a moment, emitting a long and soft breath that puffed into a slight mist in the cold air, before he spoke. "There was once a time when people feared us, you know." Briefly glancing over into Garrett's golden eyes before looking forward once more. "Feared what we could do. Now we're forced to sit back and watch... like terrified children."

Thorne's lips parted to reply but paused at a raised hand from his friend, his eyebrow climbing further. Anyone else displaying such disregard for rank and they would have been in the dungeons in moments. "I know, brother. I know. We're meant to be up here, making sure our men go into favourable situations." The General turning away from the fighting and the distant rumble of his men dying. Thorne so often forgot that Kirin was personally responsible for overseeing their training. They were like distant children to him.

After a single stride, the distance between him and his close friend felt like a chasm. What could he say at a time like this? He could not do this without Kirin and he knew it, but he couldn't break protocol... could he?

With yet another deep exhalation, Thorne stepped up beside his friend, peering over at his slightly shorter companion. "What say we go inspect the troops, mm? It has been far too long since I have overlooked the men personally." The mischievous smirk and nervous tension bubbling in his stomach reminded him of his childhood years. This wasn't going to end well but...

It's sure as hell going to be fun.