Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty - Chain of Command

Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty - Chain of Command

Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty - Chain of Command

All it took to see the commander of the base was for Bastion to walk up to the front and politely--but firmly--say I need to speak with Commander Warmwood.

No one questioned us, and even though we passed many soldiers, not one of them stopped usthough a few stared, of course. I was getting used to it. Not only was I not a sylph, I was also very much not a soldier. Bastion got his share of attention too, and a few salutes, though some didnt seem as certain as others.

The commanders office was in the largest building of the headquarters, a place where we were brought to and told to wait while the commander prepared himself to receive us.

Any questions? Bastion asked me as we both stood by the wooden door that blocked the way into the office.

Why did only some of them salute? I asked.

He chuckled. Observant. As a paladin, I have no actual military rank. Also, as a paladin, I can give orders to the military and expect them to be... considered. Its a strange position. No authoritative power, and yet some cultural power. It helps that most paladins were, at one time or another, in the military, most with some form of officer ranking. Though there are plenty of paladins from elsewhere. The guard, and some were outright civilians before joining.

Neat, I said. Bastions specialness really shone when he was in his own nation. Do I have to address the commander in any special way?

Refer to him as Sir Warmwood or Commander Warmwood. Be polite. Do... try not to hug him. Dont salute. Youre not a servicewoman and I doubt you know how to salute properly besides.

Ill do my best, Sir Bastion, sir. I said. I snapped a salute, one foot thumping down and ears bouncing as I brought a hand to my forehead.

Bastion looked me up and down. If you were my subordinate, Id have you running laps to improve your form.

I grinned and lowered my arm just as the door opened. Come in, please, someone said from the other side.

Bastion stepped in and held the door open for me.

The office was about what I expected of an office. There was a large wooden desk, sharp and angular, with a big padded seat behind it and two more seats before it, much less padded and not nearly as comfy-looking. The table was mostly cleared, except for a small potted plant on one corner and an oil lantern on the other. Some papers were stacked neatly in the middle, a gilded fountain pen left next to them.

I blinked as the person I guessed was the commander moved behind the desk.

Id never seen an old sylph before. Not really. Or maybe Id seen a few on the streets, but I hardly had an excuse to stare, and it would have been rude. The commander was an older sylph, with a heavy brow covered in white bristles, and saggy jowls under a scraggly moustache that could have passed for a brush. His hair still had some black to it, the same colour as Bastions own, and he had eyes that were a darker green than Bastions.

Commander Warmwood, Bastion said as he saluted.

The commander nodded. A pleasure to meet you, paladin.

Paladin Bastion Coldfront, sir, Bastion said.

The commander turned and eyed me up and down, and I had to suppress the urge to salute. It almost felt as if I had to in his presence. And you are?

Im Broccoli, I said. If I couldnt salute, I could at least smile.

This is Captain Bunch, of the airship Beaver Cleaver. Her ship is the one I used to come here, and the captain happens to be a very talented explorer with a few skills that might come in handy, Bastion explained simply.

I see, Commander Warmwood said. Very well. Pleased to meet you, captain. I hope you find the base comfortable and that my men have acquitted themselves well.

The commanders upper lip twitched, a distasteful look crossing his features. Oh, him, he said before schooling his expression.

This was all very exciting. My mom used to love watching court procedurals and detective shows; this felt like being in one of those, but live. It was kinda cool. Do you know him? I asked.

The commander eyed me, then Bastion before replying. I do. Hes not under my chain of command.

Bastion tilted his head to the side, just a tiny bit. A quirk, showing his confusion, maybe. He isnt? Forgive me, is there any other battalion in the region?

Commander Warmwood shook his head. No, but youre not a foolish boyI imagine you can figure it out.

The Inquisition, then, Bastion said.

I blinked. I hadnt heard of them in a while. Arent you part of the Inquisition? I asked.

Bastion shook his head, then paused and seemed to change his mind before nodding. Technically, yes. The Royal Paladins of the Order of the World operate under the auspices of the Inquisition. Im a paladin of the Royal Inquisition. So yes, on paper, Im part of that organization. In practicality, we are different. The Inquisition itself is mostly concerned with internal matters, protecting the nobility and ensuring a proper functioning of the nation, whereas paladins serve to protect the royal family. We serve the King, Queen, and their offspring more directly. Which often entails conflict resolution on their behalf.

My head bobbed up and down. Id understood most of that. So, Major Springsong is an inquisitor.

With a small platoon of soldiers under his command, Commander Warmwood replied. I knew he was out of the base with the majority of his troops, but I imagined they were doing training drills or the like. It isnt too uncommon to use the wilderness here for that sort of thing.

It seems like thats not the case, Bastion said. Not unless its the most bizarre wilderness training Ive ever heard of.

No, I would suppose not, Warmwood agreed. The commander tapped the top of his desk with his fingertips. This is becoming more complex than Id imagined. Its not in my purview to go bother the Inquisition, not without good reason. On the other hand, the settlement Im supposed to protect risks being attacked or at least damaged. Thats plenty good reason.

But youre still worried? Bastion asked.

Commander Warmwood nodded. Its unusual.

Um, but were going to do something, right? We cant just sit back, not when this might hurt the people, I said. We should go talk to this Major Springsong and see why he did what he did.

That seems like a reasonable approach, Bastion agreed. I dont imagine you know his exact location?

The commander nodded. As a matter of fact, I do, he said. The old sylph pushed off his desk and stood up. Im going to raise the alert level within the base by a notch.

Are you certain? Bastion asked.

I have the impression that no matter how things turn out, it will mean action, the commander replied. My bones might be growing old, but theyre old because I trust them when they ache like this.

Bastion nodded. Very well then. If you could have someone point us in the right direction, then the captain and I will be off. I feel like well be running ourselves ragged by the end of the day, trying to keep up with everything thats going on.

The commander snorted. Indeed. Im glad youre here, paladin. I cant imagine what it would mean to learn all of this even a day later.

Just doing my job, sir, Bastion said. I hope you dont mind if I skip some of the formalities. I think we might be more pressed for time than Id initially imagined.

I understand. Good luck, paladin. And you too, captain.

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