146 A Suicide Mission

The Tunnels of Masada were an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located below Toowoomba. They held most of the factories and base camps for the Toowoomba army. In an attempt to win the war, Kochi devoted much of their resources and soldiers trying to invade these passageways. Unfortunately, numerous traps lined the tunnel walls and would go off, causing the caves to collapse. While the tunnels themselves were dangerous, above ground, both armies fought using guerrilla warfare in small groups.

The war had been going on for three years since Tyr came to the camp. He grew weary of the constant hit-and-run fights that continually broke out. Today they headed back to the Kochi base camp after their long stay in the jungle.

Months passed since his group had the opportunity to return to base. Being away for such a long time, left him anxious to collect the messages that Macha sent him. He also wanted to send her a letter to let her know he was all right.

When they returned, Tyr found out that their team fared much better than some of the other guilds. The newest leader of the Carnelian Kumas, Tai Shan Swat, was the second son of the noble Xuanwu Swat. Although the man was strong, his inexperience in directing his military unit would be tested constantly while out in the field. Since Tyr last saw the man, the Carnelian Kumas lost half of their team.

It was difficult for leaders when so many lives depended on them. He hoped the newer Captain was doing all right.

Although Tyr lost two of his younger teammates, the rest of his guild was still healthy and unharmed. The newer members had been too inexperienced and choked up when they had been ambushed. Their deaths bothered him, but he understood that casualties would be inevitable during the war.

As Tyr cleaned up, he wrote his report to turn in of the skirmishes that he fought during the past few months. After taking care of business, he listened to the many messages that Macha sent through the Air Elemental Messaging system that Marseille set up a few years ago.

He was jaded with life out here and missed being home with her. Recently Macha's messages were happy, but her voice sounded strained as if she pushed herself too much. He wished he could be there to help her run the guild, but the war did not seem to be progressing at all.

One thing she consistently included were all the words she taught Freyr and Ullr. Tyr was ashamed to admit that he did not devote time to learn her language, but he did not bother mentioning this to her. He had a lot more going on and did not have the leisure to focus on studying.

After he played all of the messages three times, he replied to her and lied about how things faired. He did not want her worrying about him so he always pretended that they were doing well and that morale was high.

A knock sounded on the door of the barracks of Obsidian Dragons. A small slave cowered at the entrance. "General Rana would like to speak with Captain Tyr," he said with his eyes fixated on the ground.

The Kochi General and Princess, Rana, stood at a desk with a large map laid out before her. She crossed out a tunnel that had collapsed.

Looking up, she saw Tyr walk in and toss a report down onto the desk. This man had been helpful during the drawn-out war and she was glad he sided with them. "Tyr, how have you been?" She grabbed the document and sat down, putting her boots up on the table.

He knew she did not actually care how he faired. "Cut the crap. I'm just turning in my report before you send me out again." She never let them stay long and he realized she took advantage of them.

Rana gave a slow smile. His direct attitude was something she appreciated, it saved so much time. "I have a mission for you. We need you to go into the tunnels and attack the forces in the western section."

What she asked of him would practically be suicide. The western area had the heaviest concentration of troops. His brow furrowed and he gritted his teeth, "You want me to go and attack the western section? With what units?"

She tossed the report to the side and took a sip of her wine. "Obviously your own."

Tyr shuddered from controlling his anger. "How long do I have to be there?" He realized this had to be some sort of diversion. There would be no other reason she would send him out like that. If it was a diversion, he wanted to find out how long he had to be out there.

"Two weeks." Rana needed him to attack the main camp so they would pull troops away from the sides. This would allow her to send in a team to map out more of the tunnels.

Hearing her order him to take his guild into the heart of the enemy lines for two weeks, made Tyr lose the last shred of camaraderie he had for Rana. If she cared about his life even slightly, she would not send him that deep without support. These past three years she treated the soldiers from Marseille as if they were slaves. Not once did she think of their lives as valuable. His lips formed a flat line, "As you wish," he replied, his voice dripped with anger.

Tyr entered his guild's barracks. He did not bother trying to hide his annoyance. Krystof was busy brushing Luna's hair and setting it into a braid. When he saw the two of them together, he became further enraged. In his anger, he kicked a stool across the room. It shattered into pieces and caused everyone to stare at him. The confused stares that people gave him made him want to rage.

Hassanatou tied her white hair into a bun and got up from her pallet. She approached Tyr, "Captain, you need to calm down. Your mood has been getting worse these past few months." Everyone knew it was because the war was being drawn out. The longer they stayed out in the field, the worse his mood became. Usually, the Captain's disposition improved whenever they returned to camp and he sorted through his messages, but today it was still sour.

Keeping his bitter laugh to himself, Tyr squared his shoulders. "We leave tomorrow to the western jungle. Our mission is to do as much as we can for two weeks, then retreat."

Luna let out a gasp and covered her mouth. No one ever came back from the western area. That was where the enemy forces were strongest. She felt Krystof's hand tighten on her shoulder, trying to give her strength.

Aila shot up from her pallet, "Is that their orders? Do we have a choice?" If these were orders, she would not be able to argue, but she hoped there would be some way out of it. This news was like hearing your own a death sentence.

Tyr cleared his throat and steeled his voice. "These orders were given by Rana. We can't refuse them." He remembered the promise he made to Macha. His promise changed his view this mission entirely, "We may be going into the heart of the enemy forces, but that doesn't mean we need to give up. Remember, I want us to go home over anything else. We just need to upset the Toowoomba army for two weeks. Get a good night's rest tonight."

After speaking to his group, Tyr wrote another letter to Macha. He did not know if he would make it back, so he wanted to have her understand that he would to try his best to keep his promise.