ANGEL OF JUSTICE (2014 revised)

Chapter Three - Recall

Recall

The hot summer sun had reached its zenith as Lieutenant Josh Williamson stepped into his command tent. The suffocating heat inside wasn't a deterrent, for after returning from a continuous three week patrol in the mountains of Cardinia's far northern border, the twenty-two year old officer was exhausted. Removing his chain mail and sword, he fell to his bedding with full intentions of catching a few hours rest. However, the peace he craved never eventuated as a familiar voice call out from beyond the tent entrance.

"Lieutenant!"

"Sergeant Harne?"

Pulling aside the tent flap and seeing the irritation on his friend's face, Sergeant Harne grinned.

"Sir, a messenger's here, says it's important."

With a groan, Josh slowly sat up rubbing the grit from his eyes before he stood and stretched. At six feet tall with broad shoulders from ten years of physical training as swordsman in the First Guard, Josh overshadowed the older officer who had a face which betrayed his unscrupulous past.

"It bloody well better be important."

Sergeant Harne pulled aside the tent flap, admitting the messenger, who walked over and handed Josh a sealed scroll.

"Sir, a messenger pigeon just arrived with this, addressed to you personally."

Josh ran his fingers through damp hair the colour of wheat as he looked at the messenger covered in sweat and dust from the ten mile ride from the nearest of the five border forts. Accepting the scroll, Josh broke the Cardinian General's seal and read the message. When he was done, he closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, his irritation was plain to see.

"Relay to Major Sal, I wish to speak with him as soon as possible."

"Yes sir." The messenger saluted both officers before leaving the tent, looking forward to a much needed drink before returning to his post.

"What was that all about, Josh?" Harne asked once the messenger was gone. "Something bad I guess."

"The General requests the First Guard Eagles back to the fort immediately."

Harne's dark beady eyes went wide. "What the hell? We've barely returned from patrolling the hills. More importantly, I haven't eaten yet." Harne stated before noticing Josh's serious frown. "Okay. What's bothering you?"

Josh handed the scroll to Harne, who scanned the message and looked up in renewed disbelief. "I know why Captain Bisq and Jamos did not lead this patrol, I've even heard rumours of high ranking officers being assassinated of late, but this..."

Josh stretched his shoulders in an attempt to loosen the weeks of fatigue from being in the saddle, but the lack of rest was still evident in his blue eyes. "This proves they're not rumours, Harne. Someone plans to take Cardinia's leadership away one high profile life at a time. Since the King and Queen's recent deaths and Darric's delayed return from Port Gester everything has gone crazy."

Harne rubbed his hands through his hair. "Even the highest officers of Cardinia are not invincible to poison or the assassin's blade. There's no telling where this is all going so I suggest you be careful."

Josh shrugged as he stripped to the waist and used a nearby towel to wipe the sweat from his body. "I'm more interested in who's behind the assassinations and why."

"It could be anyone since all kingdoms have enemies." Harne stated.

"Cardinia does not have enemies." Josh stated retrieving a clean tunic from his saddlebag.