Coldmar Castle 508 A.F.

Princess Mary gave him another kiss on his chest before she let him get out of bed. She had been comfortable and not happy that he was leaving. Jack smiled and blew her a kiss as he quickly put on his uniform. “I’m sorry princess but roll call is in fifteen, if I miss it I could get thirty lashes, and if I’m found here it will probably jump straight to the headsman.” She looked at his lean soldier's body hungrily. “Daddy would never have you executed if I didn’t want him to” Jack chuckled. “Your family hates me enough already, lets not give them any more reasons.” He finished putting on his boots before he hobbled over to kiss her. She let the covers drop revealing her bare breasts and tried to pull him in for more. He almost followed along before he regained his senses and pulled away. “Nice try princess but I really have to go.” She looked angry for a moment before she settled for resignation. “Fine, why don’t you leave the ammo on the table when you leave” She pulled up the covers and turned her back to him. Jack did his best not sigh in frustration. “You know it’s not like that, you’re a princess, I’m a soldier.” He sat on the edge of the bed and put his hand on her shoulder. “Responsibly dictates my life, but… I'' Jack sighed deeply and rose as he slipped out the door he whispered back “I love you” He wasn’t sure if she had heard him as he closed the door, but nor could he see her tears.

Coldmar Border 508 A.F.

It had been five days in this barren hell whole and still they waited. The ducal heir Chad was the captain on this campaign, and while he had many experienced advisors, this was his first field op. Jack had recently been promoted to sergeant, and this was his first op with a unit under his command. He had been excited for the field experience, but this mission had been a whole lot of hurry up and wait. He could literally see the enemy encampment from where they were posted. Three hundred border farmers with pitchforks and axes. He knew there were less than a third of that number with real weapons like pikes or swords. They had nearly six hundred men under Chad, all regulars. He couldn’t tell what the hold up was, he wasn’t privy to that information, but it was really starting to piss off him and the rest of the grunts. They weren’t sleeping in fancy tents with private chefs, they had a sleeping bag and travel rations. Jack just noticed a messenger walking around, he hadn’t noticed one drive up to camp, but it was a big camp. The messenger asked a passing soldier a question, and the soldier turned and pointed his way. His interest slightly perked, he watched the man walk over. “Sergeant Storm?” he asked as he walked up. Jack nodded and gave the man a quick salute. “That’s me” The messenger pulled out a small scroll and passed it to him. He gave a return salute and walked away. Jack looked down at the scroll and curiously cracked the wax. He wondered briefly if Mary would be brazen enough to send him correspondence. He read the first line and felt his heart drop to his stomach. As he finished he felt the paper crush in his glove and just stood, for a moment he had no idea what to do. Dread filled his gut as he realized he needed to go have an important talk with Captain Ellisade.

Chad was sitting in his tent, reading a private letter and sipping wine when he was interrupted by one of his tent guards. “Sir, Sergeant Storm is requesting permission to speak with you” Chad scowled, then gave a greasy smile and said “Show the sergeant in'' As Jack walked in he came to attention and gave Chad a crisp salute. Chad had to keep himself from chuckling. He hated the man in front of him more than anyone. He had embarrassed him years early and now the man found himself under his command. And oh how he loved when his enemies came to grovel. “Something I can help you with Sergeant?” Jack looked genuinely nervous for a moment then he proceeded. “I just received notice my mother was gravely injured in an accident, I request permission for two weeks leave sir” Chad looked him over with his smile still papered to his lips. “I’m sorry sergeant we are in the middle of an engagement, you know as well as I do that no leave will be given until this situation has been resolved.” Jack clearly wanted to say something, but with strong inner struggle he responded “Of course, Captain'' Chad looked at the man and nodded “You’re dismissed soldier” Jack looked like he could chew rocks, but he saluted and walked out. Chad allowed himself his moment of victory, then with a chuckle he went back to sipping his wine.

Five more days had passed and Jack was seething inside. The note he had received still lay crumpled in his pocket. It had stated that there had been a bad accident that had left his mother gravely injured. His father was in Sanfren with the King, and his mother could be dying alone. He gritted his teeth so hard he had to mentaly force himself to unclench his jaw. He had spoken with his lieutenant and he had said he had no idea how long this would take, both Chad and the leaders of the rebellion seemed content to wait it out. As far as he knew, they hadn’t even had parley yet. He decided once more he needed to speak with the captain and request permission to take leave. As the sun set he reached the Captain’s tent and he could hear men talking inside. “I request a moment of the Captain’s time” the guard looked down his nose at him “Captain’s busy with his lieutenants, come back another time” Jack clenched his fists. “Please inform the Captain that Sergeant Storm is here to speak with him corporal” The guard sneered at him, but stepped inside the tent. The sounds of merriment stopped while the guard spoke. When the guard came out, he smirked and told Jack he could go in. Stepping inside the tent Jack looked around at several of the Captain’s cadre. They all had wine in their hands and seemed to be suppressing their laughter. Chad stood and spread his arms, Jack came to attention and saluted. “Sergeant storm, what seems to be so important you interrupted our strategy session?” Jack tried not to grimace, everyone here was clearly intoxicated, and if this was a strategy session he was an Orax. “Sir, I have come again to request leave, I believe my mother is dying'' Chad smiled at him, then spoke to one of his men. “Lysander, what’s the policy for leave during an open engagement?” Lysander spoke back with a smug tone “There is no leave during an engagement captain sir” His words were nearly slurred from drink. Chad smiled and looked at Jack. “You see sergeant? Nothing personal but those are the rules.” Jack looked at him again, desperation coming to his eyes. “Please sir” Chad got a predatory grin on his face. “Beg” he spoke. Jack looked at him in surprise, I’m sorry sir?” “You heard me , beg” Jack looked at him, and at the smiling fools around the room. Clearly Chad wanted his honor, well then so be it. “Captain ellisade, please may I-” “Lysander, don’t people beg from their knees?” “Lysander and several others laughed at that. “Yes sir, I do believe that is so” Jack helped in his temper and got down on his knees. “Captain Elissade, please may I have leave to see my mother?” Chad looked down at him condescendingly. “I’m glad you remember your place, sergeant. And of course you may have leave.” Jack hadn’t even realized he had been holding his breath, but it came out in a burst of relief. “Thank-” “as soon as this engagement is at an end” around the room all the toadies laughed out loud and Chad couldn’t keep the smile from his face. But for one second, a look of pure malice flashed across Jack’s face. It happened so fast Chad could have been mistaken, but his smile faded. Jack looked at him, his face now emotionless. “Thank you sir” Chad looked at him again, slightly uncomfortable this time. “You're dismissed sergeant” Jack saluted and strode from the room. As Chad raised his glass to toast his friend, he decided he would double his guard tonight.

Craig heard a twig snap in the night, and looked around, “Darnel, that you?” he didn’t get a response but since he didn’t see anything his attention again wavered. They had been standing this stupid picket for ten days. Most of the men here were farmers just trying to get a fair shake. The god damned duke had raised taxes again, and the farmers could barely hold it together as it was. Three of the community leaders had gotten everyone together to declare they wouldn’t be paying no taxes increases, and as long as everyone stood together the duke would have to cave. The leaders had convinced them that the duke would cave, after all, If they killed them all then they would get no taxes. He was just deciding if he needed to pee when he felt a sharp pain in the back of his neck. He tried to reach for his neck, but his arm didn’t seem to be responding. His eyes saw his pitchfork fall limply to the dirt as his vision was lowered to the ground. He saw black boots and heard a whisper “I’m sorry” and then it all went black.

Jack grimaced as he wiped the man's blood from his blade. He had killed five guards so far, but he couldn’t allow them to raise the alarm. They were simple folk, but if the alarm was raised he would be dead. As he got nearer to the large tent at the center, the ground was packed with more and more sleeping men. A few small scattered tents were here and there, and he tried to stay close in case he needed cover. As he was passing one such tent a man stepped out, clearly intending to hit the head. His eyes grew wide as he saw the man in black before him, the moonlight glinting from the edge of the blackened blade. He made to shout, when Jack’s knife took him through the bottom of his chin. Quick, and hopefully painless Jack thought as he lowered the body and shoved it into the tent. As he got near the large tent he noticed there were two guards. One at the entrance, and one circling, both had swords and torches. Deep down Jack felt bad, these men clearly weren’t soldiers. Men of the field knew you didn’t kill your night sight with a torch. As the man was circling behind the tent, a shadow fell upon him, one quick slice and his throat was spurting blood. With practiced ease, Jack caught the torch in his left and the body in his right, as he lowered the man to the ground. The guard standing at the entrance was surprised when his fellow guardsman stabbed him in his solar plexus. He had known Greg for a long time, they had been neighbors. When he looked up, he realized this wasn’t Greg. A small tear came to his cheek as he worried about what his and Greg’s families would do now. As Jack entered the tent, he saw three cots around a large central table. All three men were fast asleep, Jack grimaced, he knew this was dark work, but if Jack knew one thing, it was duty.

As Chad awoke to some comotion, he looked up and saw his guard trying to hold back the spectre of death himself. He nearly soiled himself as he gradually took in his surroundings. He swung his legs to the floor just as three severed heads came rolling to stop at his feet. Their mouths twisted into a perpetual scream. He leaped upon his bed and heard his guards shouting, their weapons out. As Chad looked over at the shade covered in blood, he heard very human words. “Your rebellion is over, this engagement is at an end” Jack turned and strode from the tent.

Darnel was on his knees, tears fell from his eyes. His lifelong friend Craig lay dead in his arms. All around the camp there were shouts and screams. How would he tell Brenda that her husband was dead, how would they survive the coming harvest without Craig. They could barely survive with taxes as they were. He looked at the sky as ravens circled, he missed his wife terribly, but he dreaded going home.