2 Anticipation

In the middle of the tent sat a large table. At the opposite side of the table stood a huge man with gray hair, this was general Flint. He looked up at Alex and adjusted his eye patch.

"Ah, Alex good job on the capture of General Hiezer. If he had got away this war might have gone on a couple more weeks. With the last of the generals captured the war will end soon. Thank you for that, this paperwork is making me old."

"Just doing my job, sir."

"Ha, funny joke. No, Alex, your job is to fall in rank and follow your officers commands. But the only one you listen to is me. Your a solder, not a lone wolf. Although your disobedience has gained us a new tittle, so all is not lost."

"You mean becoming a Hunter Battalion."

"Exactly, that makes all our jobs easier. Not to mention higher wages for even the cooks of the battalion, all thanks to you. But along with the benefits comes the political side of the military."

The one eyed man slid the note he was reading to the edge of the table.

"Read that would you, my eye is tired."

Flint sat down and uncorked a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. Alex picked up the note and began reading.

"General Flint of the Northern 21st battalion, because of your accomplishments on the battlefield you are invited to the kings birthday party and tournament. You are asked to bring one of your most skilled knights with you to fight in said tournament. Pleas make the proper arrangements for your leave."

"Thank you. So I have been invited to one of the kings famous dog fights. I have no love of such things, I cant stand most nobles, I loath the generals most of all. But, alas I have no say in the matter, because the fighting is over I have no excuses."

"General, if I may ask a Question?"

"Ask away solder."

"Who is it you are taking."

The gray haired man itched his beard.

"I was planning on taking Walker, my second in command, but he was shot with an arrow today and the healers have run dry of power after the fighting of late. He was possibly my best bet."

Then Flint stood up and handed a glass of wine to Alex. He took it and sipped the contents.

"But with him gone there is only one other person skilled enough to take. You might have heard of him. People tend to call him The Bounty Hunter, said take on whole groups of solders by himself. You know someone like that?"

"No sir, not personally."

"Well I guess that means that I have to settle on third best."

"Sir, may I ask you to reconsider. There are many who are-"

"Noble born, if you had said that I would have threw my wine bottle at you. You already know that I care nothing for those things. I judge a man by his steal. Why do you think I haven't sentenced you to death yet. You have multiple accounts from other lesser captains about your... traitor's acts."

"I'm sorry sir."

"Alex, if a few of those captains joined together and call for your arrest there is nothing I can do. that's why I have decided on the next best placement for you."

"What do mean by that, sir."

"Along with benefits to the generals the fighter who wins this tournament gets something good. What that is I do not know yet."

"General, I personal do not care for gifts from any noble."

"Oh come now surely you know who will be participating in the tournament, and you will be sabotaging any general who want the prizes. Surly if anyone want to steal from a noble it would be you."

Alex swigged the last of his wine, a sinister smile appearing for only a second be fore he calmed down.

"You have an hour to get your stuff around I will meet you at the west entrance of the camp. I will also send you a pair of clothes for you to wear, change and we will be off."