Chapter 286

Chapter 286

I like to think of myself as a tenacious person, not someone who shrinks in the face of adversity. When the going gets tough, I grit my teeth and power through, or I find a different, easier way to approach the problem. After a single day of travelling with this massive army of the North, Im ready to call it quits and risk the Emperors retribution. Bring on the charges of mutiny, because this is the worst.

The main problem is theres too many people. Im not privy to our exact numbers, but Im guessing its at least a million soldiers answering the call to Central. Hearing the number doesnt sound too impressive, but when I sat down and thought about it, it really blew my mind. Assuming the average person is fifty centimetres wide, if every soldier here lined up shoulder to shoulder, theyd stretch for five hundred kilometres. Thats more than six days of marching or a quarter of the journey from the Wall to the Society Headquarters. If my job was to speak with every soldier here for one minute each and I worked eight hours a day without break, itd still take me almost six years to finish.

Thats not including all the non-combatants. Spouses, children, cooks, labourers, retainers, drivers, stable hands, and more, their numbers easily dwarf our own. All I can see is massive blob of people, horses, quins, and wagons stretching in both directions. Covered from head to toe in what I pray is only mud and slush, my appearance is as far from debonair as one can get. Since the expedition set out, I havent had a single moment of silence whether it be due to the percussive clatter of marching soldiers or the clamouring racket of a million muttering voices. Whichever way the wind blows, it carries the rank stench of body odour and manure as it splatters soiled snow across my body to steal away my warmth and comfort. Figures bustle about as they prepare to settle in for the night, hastily assembling their shelters at the side of the road, over thick mud, thawed and churned by the passing of tens of thousands of boots and hooves.

Things can only get worse as untold numbers of troops and wagons from every city in the north join us throughout our journey to Nan Ping. I have a headache just thinking about the logistical complications. Even with the entire province working to supply our army, feeding so many mouths on the move is already difficult enough, so how does the Emperor expect to feed at least four times our number gathered in one place?

Luckily, smarter minds than mine are (hopefully) hard at work solving the problem and they assure me I have nothing to worry about. All I have to do is wait for Rustram to send whatever food is available for my fur-babies to nom on. As if sensing my thoughts, Mafu cranes his neck and fixes me with a plaintive stare, his chittering cries both adorable and heart-rending as he pleads for treats. One would think hes been starved for days instead of the tubby, over-fed glutton he is. His begging is indirectly rewarded as Pran and Saluk arrive bearing fruits and meats, making them my pets favourite people for a few short minutes.

Im so thankful for Rustram, Dastan, and oddly enough, Ulfsaar. Id be completely lost without them as all three are vital in keeping my small, two-hundred and eighty strong retinue running like a well-oiled machine. Baatar and Akanai both tried to teach me the basics of command but Ive been having trouble putting things into practice. Im not what one would call an organized person. I see a problem, I fix the problem. Doesnt seem so bad an approach, but with more people comes more problems. Too many problems and things grind to a halt while Im busy patching them up, which is... less than ideal. A good leader sees an issue and fixes it before it becomes a problem, which just goes to show that choosing leaders based on strength of arms is stupid. Instead of leading thousand-man retinues, I should be a standard grunt with wiser, more tactical-minded folk telling me where to go and what to do.

Not that Im a great at taking orders either. I have problems with authority, mostly because I like to challenge everything Im told. Sun rises in the east? Maybe. Well see in the morning, but until then, who can say? Honestly, a soldiers life really isnt for me, and Im not just saying that because Im miserable.

With all the higher-ups swamped by the minutia of army management and my people doing my job for me, theres little for me to do. Since its supposedly bad for morale if Im seen doing manual labour or menial tasks, Im left to wander around and supervise as my retinue sets camp. Somehow both unblemished by the days travel, Lin and Guard Leader join me on my walk around camp, trailed by two bears, two cats, and one fat quin. In a few weeks, Ill have sixteen rabbits hopping along behind me like a little horde of voracious buck-toothed cuties. Squeeeeeeee-

Stop it. Youre a Second Grade Warrant Officer and ostensibly the number one talent in the north. You cant be walking around with a goofy grin on your face while thinking of bunnies, no matter how adorable they might be. Its undignified. Go look at the bunnies, give them a pat each for one last hit of cuteness to tide you over until later. Whistling for Mafu to approach, I give my fat floof a chin scratch before lifting his saddlebags to reveal the bunnies. Instead of fifteen floppy-eared, nose twitching rabbit kits staring back at me, I discover all the rabbits are still curled up in their compartments, with many of them snoring lightly.Read latest chapters at novelhall.com Only

Peeking at the bunnies, Lin tilts her head and strokes Tawny Ones belly, the adorable little brown bun asleep on his back. Wakey wakey little bun-bun. Youve been sleeping all day so its time to come out and play, ya? Tawny One proves unresponsive to Lins prodding as do the other bunnies she checks and my heart sinks with worry. Are they sick? Bicorn rabbits raised in captivity have a tendency to die due to mysterious circumstances, but I thought having their momma around would keep the little bun-buns alive. Nooooo! Tawny One, Thumper, Flopsy, Hopper, Quake, Cinnabun, Peanut, Ginger, Pepper, Bugs, Lola, Buster, Babs, Fluffy Bunnkins, and George! Dont leave me!

Calm yourself. Guard Leaders bored voice snaps me out of my downward spiral and I turn to her in desperate search of answers. Nestled in her arms is Mama Bun, also fast asleep and snoring just like her babies. Following my train of thought, Guard Leader nods and says, Yes, this is due to the idamare, and yes, it was to be expected. How to explain... The plant contains a high amount of energy and the deep sleep helps them process it.

Relieved by the news, I ask, How long will they sleep for?

A day? More? Guard Leader shrugs, not exactly inspiring confidence. No longer than three. These creatures eat whole Spiritual Plants in the wild, roots and all. They wouldnt survive if they fell asleep for extended periods of time.

Before I can berate her for her irresponsible feeding, another thought strikes me. Wait, will the babies be okay? Theyre so young but they ate the same amount as Mama Bun and shes not awake yet. They wont explode because of too much energy will they?

She takes her time answering, which doesnt exactly inspire confidence. An explosion is unlikely, and while the idamare provides them with more than enough nourishment... Guard Leader pauses and it takes all my self-restraint to keep from shaking the answer out of her. ...If they sleep too long theyll die of thirst. Another shrug. Thats why I said no longer than three days. Their fate is beyond our control.

My poor bunnies... If you knew this then why didnt you... I dunno, test it out before hand? Feed them a smaller portion or feed only one or two of them?

A third shrug. It did not occur to me there might be an issue until you brought it up.

Although her expression is hidden behind her veil, her tone and posture scream indifference. It's as if she wasn't the sole culprit of this whole debacle but merely an innocent bystander offering her expertise out of goodwill. Nonsensical expertise at that, I can think of a dozen things that could go wrong before my sweet bun-buns die of dehydration. Thats not even an issue, I can straw feed them water if necessary...

Thankfully, Taduk doesnt throw a fit when we ask him to check on the bunnies, only harrumphing four or five times through the whole process. After getting a clean bill of health, I settle down to cook dinner as thanks, not caring if it affects my retinue's morale. Since were travelling under military escort, were forced to abide by military protocols which means I cant run off to eat with my family, and my retinue still isn't great at cooking. Since officer lodgings are smack dab in the middle of their troops, Im separated from Alsantset and Akanai by countless Sentinels while Baatar and Sarnai are even further away since my Mentor has the dubious honour of leading the vanguard. Aside from Taduk, Lin, Guard Leader, her cronies, and my retinue, Im pretty much surrounded by strangers.

Bekhai strangers who dont want me around, cant forget that.

Once the broth is boiling and noodles cooking, I step back from the fire to take a break, only to bump into an adorable little old man wrapped in a thick, wool cloak. With a hunched back and white beard, the old man is even shorter than Lin, although his shoulders are broader. He also sports a pair of silvered wolf ears peeking out of his hood while his similarly coloured tail half-heartedly wags behind him as he gives the air a few perfunctory sniffs. Food smells good, he says, fixing me with a pointed look. Although his face is wrinkled and has more age spots than I can count, his eyes are sharp and crystal clear, blue as the sky on a clear summer day.

Be on your best behaviour. Even though hes probably a camp follower, it doesnt hurt to be polite. Would you care to join us for dinner grandfather?

Bah, he says, waving his hand as he takes a seat by the fire. Whos your grandfather? I aint never sired no snot-nosed, silver-tongue, amber-eyed brat.

Tch, this old fart. Here to mooch a meal and cant even be nice about it. Sorry, I just felt it the most suitable appellation. Allow me to correct myself. If you dont like grandfather, then which would you prefer: geezer or codger?

...

God dammit. So much for my best behaviour. Its the cuteness withdrawals, I cant live like this. I needs. To cuddles. My Bun-Buns!

Maybe its my overactive imagination, but I sense a warriors past in the old mans steely glare, as if he were some peak expert of yesteryear. Time spares no one however, as he looks older than any half-beast Ive ever met. After a heart-wrenching pause, the old man barks with laughter as his perfect teeth flash in the firelight. You got stones kid, Ill give you that. The worthless boy I been saddled with acts all polite on the outside while cursin me for dead on the inside, but cant say I blame him. His mama aint no shrinking violet, shell spank him something fierce if he took after you. Call me whatever you like, he says, long as you gimme a big ol bowl of them noodles. Dont skimp on the venison either, come, come, come.

Relieved he wasnt offended, I give him a hearty helping once the noodles are cooked. He doesnt seem interested in making conversation, so after a few unanswered questions I leave him to eat in peace while I sit with Lin and Taduk. Captivated by my culinary skills, the old geezer finishes his entire bowl, soup, bones and all, even helping himself to seconds without asking. Its no big deal, the elderly should be treasured and he could use the food. His thin frame looks frail enough for a strong wind to knock over.

A familiar face emerges from the crowd as Huu arrives, his face twisted in a concerned frown. I asked you not to wander off.

Bah, the old geezer replies, taking a swig from his gourd. Alcohol, and strong alcohol judging by the smell. He didnt offer to share either, the stingy old miser. Emperors laws, armys rules, brat's requests, I dont recall agreein with any of em.

Putting aside my misgivings, I smile and wave at Huu. Hey. Long time no see. Whered you disappear to for so many months?

Training. Huus curt reply and gruff manners throw me for a loop, my good friend not even sparing me a glance. Offering the old geezer a hand, he puts an end to our impromptu reunion. Come, we must return to camp before someone notices my absence.

Despite grumbling all the while, the old geezer takes Huus hand and allows the younger half-wolf to help him up and the two of them disappear into the night without so much as a thank you or farewell. Noticing my frown, Lin leans against me and whispers, Im sure Huus just tired and worried. I doubt he meant to be rude, he probably hasnt even eaten yet, ya? Spent all his time looking for the old man.

Yea, youre probably right. Cant blame him for being a little cranky, travelling is bad enough without babysitting a difficult old man. Kissing my sweet wifey on the cheek, I feign nonchalance while pulling Baloo into my embrace, holding him close like an oversized teddy bear. Maybe Lins right and I caught Huu at a bad time or maybe he caught wind of my near-Defiled status and is avoiding me like the other Bekhai.

Until we know for sure, who can say?

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