Caidoz

Chapter 38

   "Attention, step side, turn, attack!" Lord Taurus walked down the ranks of soldiers as they snapped to his commands, holding their swords upright before moving to the side sharply, then whirling to the front to a deadly lunge in which they repeated for him to further inspect. "Attention, step side, turn, attack!" He carefully watched their strikes, and was upon a soldier within an instant. "You must attack with more power," the general said after a curt nod.
   The soldier instantly corrected his mistake, eyes determined. "I am sorry, sir! Will not happen again, sir!"

"Make sure of it." Taurus continued down the ranks. "Attention, step side, turn, attack! Attention, step side, turn, attack! Attention, step side, turn--" he found himself hesitating. With a sense of dread beginning to gnaw at his heart, he tried to continue, but he found his train of thought had completely abandoned him.

The men continued their activity, but there were a few surprised glances at the older general. Taurus immediately whirled to face a young soldier, large hand reaching behind him for his massive battle axe strapped onto his back. "What is the next command, private!?"
   "Attack, sir!"

"Good. I expect you to answer quicker when I want an answer, soldier! Make sure this doesn't happen again, all of you! When one fails, you all fail! If one does not speak up, the rest of you do! Do I make myself clear!?"
   "Yes sir, yes sir!" The soldiers shouted, shifting in one motion to attention, crossing their arms respectfully behind their back.
   Taurus snorted in disgust. "You will now all repeat this exercise until you are ready to drop. And then I want triple the effort!"

It was clearly evident the men did not like this order in the least. Though they did not grumble, their lips tightened sharply. However, their training forced them to listen to every command from their general, and their protocol informed them to obey their Caidozian lords.

The older general watched as they began the routine again. However, his eyes weren't looking towards them at all. They had began instead to mist over, and, before he knew it, he was dreaming. Faintly, a bright red garmented robe flashed before his eyes. It rose upwards at a height of about six feet, and grey hair stood stiff to add to the appearance. A black misty image of two horns with lunging hooves reached for Taurus, the image singed onto the back, and he knew at once who it was.

"Lord Aires," he breathed, inhaling in the aroma of smoke in disbelief. He could feel the heat scorching his armor, and hear the sound of cracking plates in churning lava. The figure lifted his head, but did not turn.
   "Your son Leo is following your legacy. Everything is going according to plan. Your plans, my lordship."

    There was a small silence. Taurus felt his heart beating frantically in his chest. It was the Bull inside tossing its horns in worry. He knew something was wrong. The whirling of a sword pulled Taurus' attention to a strong hand, and he was pinned to a wall crafted of lava rock that radiated heat with a tremendous energy stronger than a thousand stampeding rams. He did not blink or struggle, but a breath was driven from him from the impact. A low laugh was given from the figure in front of him. Slowly, the man turned, and the face was unmistakable to Taurus.

Thick arched eyebrows that reached outwards from the masculine face rose in amusement. A wild green eye, and a restless brown both narrowed into what moved his mouth into a mocking smile. "Taurus. It's been a while."

   He shook his head in confusion, blinking in the sight. "My Lordship, how can you so calmly speak to me when things are occurring at this very moment!? What of your plans that your son Leo is continuing for you?"

Aries seemed to not hear what the general said, and instead tilted his stance, resting his sword onto his shoulder with a cocky smirk. "It seems that you couldn't fight to save your life, could you?"
   The Bull started to kick up dust in anger, but Taurus only took a calming breath.