189 Fire and Brimstone

The dawning sun rose. The chaos of last night still had its evidence scattered around the hill.

Henry surveyed the field. Flames were still burning, scattered like little flickers in the vast sand. Broken pieces of wood and the fragmented pieces of clay pots were everywhere.

"How many?" He asked the knight arranging the corpses.

"Thirty-two knights and Forty Castonians. The enemies wilted hundreds and we captured at least a thousand. This is a great victory for us"

"Losing thirty-two our brothers and forty of our allies is not so great" Henry sat on the sand. His injured thigh jolted pain "And Centurion Stan. Are you certain?"

"He and fifteen are not among the corpses. I don't believe he fled either sire. Let's just hope that the pretender Tobias is still kind enough to treat hostages with care"

"Grand Master" Another knight called Henry. He was too tired to argue about his position so he just let it be.

"Report"

"Two men just came to our camp"

"Stragglers?"

"They came voluntarily sire. They said that they have information"

"Defectors then" Henry rose, sand falling from his armor "Let's hear what they have to say"

A short walk brought Henry to a tent where the defectors were waiting. When he entered, many of his Centurions were already inside.

He glanced towards the defectors. They were seated in the front. One was a middle-aged man while the other was a young lad. Both were bloody and filthy. Both had their heads lowered.

"I hope you understand that you were the ones who attacked us. The violence from yesternight was purely self defense" Henry said

"Self defense in the form of burning and exploding pots of Hellfire" The older defector smiled bitterly "But rest assured First Spear, we understand"

"So you defected" Henry took his seat "Why?"

"Tobias and King Brice don't deserve loyalty"

"King Brice is King. Tobias is a Master of knights. Thousands follow them. You are not a serf but a normal levy if I'm not mistaken. You chose to serve them. You..."

"That fanatic is thinking of a sacrifice!" The older defector roared with gritted teeth.

Henry's brows met "Sacrifice? What do you mean?"

"Sacrifice First Spear. A human sacrifice to the Omniscient!"

Everyone inside the tent grunted. Henry still refused to believe the words he heard.

"Master Tobias... wants to make a human sacrifice to the Omniscient? My good man, the Omniscient detests works of filth. A portion of the book of knights is reserved to condemning such acts. I..."

"Believe it First Spear. Tobias has gone crazy. I've seen it in his eyes"

Henry looked down, blinking fast "Damn!" he let out his first curse in years. He then realized a grim possibility "Tell me I'm wrong..."

"Yes First Spear. Some of your knights got captured right? He is going sacrifice them"

"Blasphemy!" Shouted a Centurion

"Detestable!"

Henry himself was shaken. He cannot imagine Centurion Stan and the other knights being sacrificed. "We need to stop this. They are knights, loyal followers of the Omniscient. Being sacrificed to the God they are devout to is beyond dishonorable. This is a mockery! A cruel act!"

Henry calmed his breaths. He leaned against the table. They had won last night. Even though he was saddened by the death of some of the knights, the victory was stunning. But their victory would mean nothing if Stan and the other captives were put into a cruel ritual. The order of the knights would forever be smudged.

**********

When Freya heard of the news, she immediately searched for Henry. She first looked into Henry's tent but nobody was there. After asking around, her feet led her to a spot where the horses are kept.

Henry was grooming his horse, picking fleas and dirt from its back. She had seen him many times do this and the way he cares for the animal still amazes her.

"I've heard" She said "So what now?"

"First we bury our dead. And then we should continue our march"

"Together?"

Henry became silent. He turned towards her "I spent the entire morning thinking of possible harm that may come to you. Balian is at least a week's march away from Bivon. Tobias and King Brice are retreating to Vuono. The road is safe. I'll be taking just a portion of my knights anyway so you'll have more than enough guards"

"And why are you chasing after them?"

"What do you mean why? Tobias is going to sacrifice my knights. It is my responsibility to stop him"

Freya raised an eyebrow "Responsibility as?"

Henry looked at her and then lowered his head slowly "As a Prefect. I am a Prefect"

"But the technicalities of this is funny, don't you think?"

"What do you mean?"

"I have been reading the book of knights. There is chapter detailing the ranks. It also says that there are only three instances where a Prefect could attack a Master. One, if the Master is excommunicated. Two, if the Master committed a sacrilege. Three, if the Prefect is acting in self defense. You fought against Rickard and Balian because of the second instances. Both of them committed war crimes which are sacrilege. You fought against Master Tobias last night out of self defense. But now the situation is different. Master Tobias is not excommunicated. He is also not committing sacrilege- not yet until the sacrifice is over that is. You are also not acting in self defense. So technically you are going against the rules"

"I need to correct his ways"

"Seems to me, you already view yourself as Grand Master" Freya said with a wink.

"Erik put me in the position of Grand Master. I am against it. It is a sin to disobey the rules. But this time, this one time- I will play the part. Until I get my knights back, I will be a Grand Master"

"And after that?"

"I will go back to being a Prefect"

Freya approached him. She put her palm on his cheek. "I prefer you remain a Grand Master. It suits you. Once you realize how better the world will be with you in that position, you'll never go back. But enough of that. You are leaving me again. We haven't been together for a full day and you're leaving already"

"I will be back in a few days. I promise..."

Freya put a finger against Henry's lips "Don't promise. Do. I will wait for you in Bivon Grand Master Henry"

**********

Stan's head hurt. His face was swollen. He opened his eyes and the glare of the sun met him. He tried to shield his eyes with his hand but discovered that he is in chains.

He looked around. He was in a cart with the other captured knights. He counted and was relieved when he discovered that all of them are still alive.

"Road to Vuono Centurion. The winding road cannot be mistaken. We have exited the Deadland Plains" said a knight

With a turn of his head, Henry saw the Coar River not far from them. It shone it's distinctive glitter under the early spring sun. The grass had also thicken under them with the vegetation burgeoning.

"Is everyone alright? Any severe injuries?"

"Everyone is fibe Centurion. Except you. Master Tobias really is lost. With the beating you received last night we thought you were a goner. "

"It's just injury" Stan said despite his body aching and his head throbbing in pain "Injuries heal and pain dulls. Have courage brothers. Have courage in knowing that we are in the right"

Several men on horseback matched the pace of the cart. They wore an ugly and crooked variant of the knights' armor. Stan felt disgusted just by looking at them.

"The Omniscient demands silence you of weak faith. You should spend your time praying for your sins rather than idle talking" Said one of the Punishers.

"You are mistaken. The sinner here is you and your men. Look at the way you dress. Pity. It is a pity seeing men of the Omniscient fall into ruin"

The Punisher gave Stan a sharp stare behind his crooked helm. Stan also maintained his unbroken stance. He cannot show fear. Only sinners should show fear and he fulfilled his duty as a knight.

"Enjoy your last days blasphemer" The Punisher's voice was cold "Soon your life will end. The ritual will cleanse you of your heresy"

Stan gritted his teeth. He was again reminded of the cruel fate that awaits him. It was truly cruel. Being sacrificed to the Omniscient made him feel robbed of his pride. He had been a loyal knight. He had served under his oath. He cannot bear the thought of being sacrificed by fanatical lunatics.

"How will you do it" Stan asked the Punisher "How will you sacrifice me and my men?"

The Punisher spared him a single glance before trotting ahead of the cart. He said a single phrase that sent chills down Stan's spine.

"Fire and brimstone shall purify what is evil"