Secret Shadow Ops

Bound by Honor 1st ed.

It was not long before they had lost sight of the other teams. The team of Friedenberg took to the north, where they would explore for the whole day and travel as deep into the enemy territories as they can. The first moment they encounter a patrol, they need to be more cautious. And an enemy camp? They are to stay somewhere until the day ends and come back with their info. To come back with any information is enough than nothing at all, or dying in combat.

The trees were little to none now, rocks of different shapes and sizes formed here and there as they went deeper in the valley. What seemed unexpected, however, was that they hadn't met up with any resistance whatsoever. No shadows walked up and about, it seemed. The atmosphere became eerie and everyone had every reason to be more vigilant.

For hours however, they just became tired as they walked on. It was silent, but it started to be windy once more and the skies, which they noticed to be darker as the clouds seemed closer, seemed to show signs of rain.

"Belladonna," Eustace said as he caught up to the loner up in the front. Ever since they went deeper into the fights, she became more distant, as if she was a different person from the cheery self she was before.

She turned around and nodded at Eustace as he walked alongside her.

"I wanted to apologize. About before."

"You didn't hold my collar. You should apologize to Friedenberg."

"I believe justice is due with you too. I had accused you of leaving us in the dark."

Belladonna stayed silent as they walked on. There was a point where the rocks piled up and it looked like a dead end, but it was just a steep turn upon closer inspection.

"But we would still like to know what you know." Eustace continued.

Belladonna sighed. "I know, you guys deserve the truth too. Since we're all here, it matters not if you know now."

Eustace became puzzled, but stayed silent.

"This mission is what it is. Like Friedenberg said, we're reconnaissance. The kings are looking to end this war. This mission is vital. The outcome would determine future successes in the war against the shadows. Pretty soon the royal army themselves would take point after point and drive out our enemies for good."

Eustace was in awe. "Then why us? Why not the armies? Who have better experience with the enemy than us adventurers?"

"I'm not sure myself. Individually, we are powerful. So my guess is, they need us as the backbone. We are important in this win. But that's just my opinion."

The royal army had powerful adversaries. Generals, captains, paladins such as Friedenberg, assigned to each platoon and army. They have the power of magic and skills that could end the war. And yet...

"... We are chosen in a mission to start the end of this war, completely ignorant fools who know nothing of the enemy and was lured in by the rewards of our kings, to fight as bait... Does that not sound right?"

Belladonna fell silent.

"DOES THAT NOT SOUND RIGHT?!?!" Eustace boomed. His voice echoed among the mountains. In the next instant, Friedenberg smacked him across the face.

"Have you lost your mind, you idiot?!" Friedenberg said in a hushed tone as he pulled him close to some other rocks, anywhere far from where Eustace shouted.

Eustace, bleeding at the mouth grit his teeth and pushed Friedenberg away from him.

"Fuck off! You chose to hide this from us, and how did you think we would feel? Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one fucking thinking in this damned group!"