Chapter 406

Chapter 406

Mind rested and spirit restored, Rustram headed out to start his day only to falter a few steps out. The morning sun peeked over the horizon and cast its brilliant glow across the land, treating Rustram to his first real glimpse of the ruins of Sinuji. While theyd passed through those very ruins to reach this campsite last night, their lanterns and torches had failed to reveal the true extent of the horrific damage. Though merely a minor border town of little renown, Sinuji had once been home to tens of thousands of people, a bustling rest-stop for travelling caravans and nomadic shepherds alike. Many a humble farmer and wealthy rancher plied their trade here, away from the bustle of busy Central cities yet still nestled in the heart of the Empire.

Or at least, what used to be the heart of the Empire. Not anymore. Now, the ruins of Sinuji sat on the front lines, and its inhabitants were put to rest inside it.

Though less than a month since its destruction, nature was well on its way to reclaiming the border town, for the scale of destruction was nigh on complete. Cracked and crumbling stones littered the landscape, yet nary a single stone sat atop another. Gutted foundations were all that remained of the towns demolished structures, with piles of debris scattered haphazardly about. It almost seemed like a massive boot had descended from the Heavens and stomped the town flat, with only a few walls of wood and mud remaining on the outer perimeter. Ready to tumble over at the slightest sign of a breeze, teams of soldiers were already hard at work dismantling those few unsupported structures, and even though he knew this was necessary work, Rustrams heart bled to see the last pieces of Sinuji torn down.

In ten years, who would know a thriving town once sat here or remember its inhabitants who died with it?

Clouds of thick, oily smoke hung overhead and cast the ruins in an eerie, orange-red glow, the result of the living working tirelessly day and night to cremate the dead. The aroma of cooked flesh filled his nostrils and turned his stomach, not because he found it putrid and revolting, but rather because it was all too appetizing, a stark reminder that in death, humans were no different from animals. Bodies of Defiled and Imperial citizen alike were fed to the flames, and even as the wind carried their ashes away, it seemed as if their spirits lingered over the devastated landscape within those clouds of ash. Whether those spirits mourned the loss of home and life or took pride in their consummate handiwork, Rustram couldnt say, but he let his gaze linger for a few seconds more to burn this vision in memory.

These were the stakes. Should the Defiled win, this was what would become of the Empire, and it was up to men like him to stop it.

A heavy, soul-crushing burden, heavier than the cumbersome lead training armour he currently wore, but like the armour, it was a burden he gladly accepted. To defeat the Defiled, he would need strength and strength would not come from idling about. This was the first lesson Mentor Sarnai taught him, a hard learned lesson he took to heart. From his place at the rear, Rustram looked over the entire camp as it slowly came to life, yet what stood out the most was the heart and soul of the retinue, Falling Rain himself. Moving through the Forms in the centre of camp, the boss diligently trained while others were still fast asleep, having woken at least an hour before Rustram even opened his eyes. You are not talented, Mentor had said, when Rustram asked her what she saw in him. But so what? Talent is worthless. Hard work will overcome talent, and you are nothing if not hard working.

Yet how was Rustram to compete against someone like the boss who was both talented and hard working?

Well, nothing could be gained from standing around gawking, or at least thats what Mentor would probably say. Taking a deep breath, he remembered Rain and Mentors teachings.

Focus your thoughts and calm your mind.

Draw yourself inwards and open yourself to the Energy of the Heavens.

Be aware of nothing but awareness itself.

Seek nothing, find everything.

Laden in heavy armour which weighed at least twice as much as full plate, Rustrams body moved through the Forms without thought or direction, savouring the mysteries and Insights laid out before him. It was hard not to focus on his breathing, footwork, or hand movements, but instead he forced himself to put it all aside and bask in the moment. The Heavens were fickle, for the more you chased them, the more they wished to be chased. Want not, need not, desire not, but accept all, his mind was an empty vessel for Energy of the Heavens to fill. Faster and faster he moved, but he paid it no mind, much like he paid no mind to the strain on his muscles or sweat pouring down his skin. At some point, hed drawn his rapier, but this was no surprise, for he was the weapon and the weapon was he, two parts of a whole and neither complete without the other.

Together, they were Death, and Death he would become. Death to the Enemy, death to the Defiled, death to any who would stand against him, the boss, or the Bekhai.

Time seemed to still yet before he knew it, Rustram completed his performance, having gone through every movement of every Form in a single pass. Gasping for air, he unbuckled his helmet and let it drop to the ground with a clang. Dragging his feet to where his water skin lay, he envisioned himself collapsing in the dirt to drown in a puddle of water, but Rustrams pride would not let him admit defeat so easily. Picking up the water skin without falling over was a feat unto itself, as was lifting his leaden arms to bring the water skin to his mouth, but once he tasted his first mouthful of cool, delicious water, his body surged with new life. A small thing to delight in, but when he first put on this cumbersome training armour, he couldnt even make it halfway through the Forms before collapsing into a weeping pile of sweat and tears. Now, little more than twenty days later, not only could he complete a full performance, he still had strength enough to stand afterwards.

An astounding improvement in so short a time, though still a long ways from reaching Mentor Sarnais exacting standards. Apparently, she expected him to go through a full performance and then ten rounds of sparring. Three times. In the morning. With three more at night. A harsh and demanding taskmistress, she could make even the diligent and hardworking Falling Rain seem like a ne'er do well slacker.

After removing his weighted armour, Rustrams body felt light as a feather, albeit one which was tired and spent. Still, Mentor said this was the optimal time to reflect on his bounty from training, sharpening his mind while his body rested. Settling down to meditate, he did as he was told and withdrew from himself, dividing his mind into two separate portions in order to study his new findings. When Mentor first asked this of him, Rustram didnt understand how it was possible to empty your mind and contemplate your thoughts at the same time, but as always, Mentor made things clear with but a single statement.

Stop thinking about how to do it and just do it.

And oddly enough, it worked. With the bosss Runic ring on his finger, Rustram sat steeped in Balance and endured the soothing pummelling of Heavenly Energy as it massaged his aches and pains away, leaving him stronger and faster than before so he could withstand more abuse in the future. While this once would have required all his attention to maintain, Rustram could now mentally step away and allow the process to carry on while he pored over the newfangled mysteries revealed to him. Rarely did he come away with anything consciously useful, but he found that if he set his mind free, his body knew exactly what to do. While his spars with Li Song still ended in his inevitable defeat, Rustram felt himself improving with each passing day.

A minor improvement, but improvement nonetheless.

Sadly, he had yet to test his skills in real battle, for last nights engagement ended long before he found reason to step in. Chey and Joranis units no, not Joranis anymore, it was Erkins unit now, a gruff and grizzled old bandit who could charm the dress off a serving girl half his age, the silver-tongued bastard. Regardless, Chey and Erkins units of roosequin mounted crossbowmen were enough to hold the centre, showering the Defiled with bolts and leaving little else for Rustram to do besides stand around and watch. Truth be told, he spent more time watching the Protectorate instead of the allied units in front of him, so enamoured by their skill with bow and long-axe. Where the bosss repeating crossbows got the job done through sheer weight of numbers, the Protectorate longbows cut down the Defiled with ruthless precision. To his eyes, it seemed like every one of their arrows brought down a Defiled, whereas it sometimes took ten or more bolts to do the same.

Wont be no unexpected situations. Yer seconds plan will suit us just fine. Surprisingly enough, Sai Chou spoke up in Rustrams defence, though in retrospect, he realized it was because Daxian had subtly insinuated the two lines of scouts might miss something.

My second, and your superior. Unfazed by the bosss stern glare, Sai Chou spit once more before grudgingly accepting the reprimand with an apologetic shrug. In recent days, the boss had become something of a stickler for protocol, a change Rustram wholeheartedly embraced. It was high time the boss put his foot down and stopped letting his soldiers do as they pleased, especially now that they were entering a war-zone. Discipline and training were their greatest weapons against the Defiled, and without them, the Empire would have been lost millennia ago. Also, Rustram needed all the help he could get and hed long had his mind set on promoting Silva as his aide, a move the boss was reluctant to force on the lazy but literate bastard.

Until now.

Well go with Mister Rustrams deployment, the boss declared. Li Song, Im handing you command of all three hundred Death Corps, but Ill send Viyan and Birca to help. Let me know if you need more able bodies, and Ill do what I can. Her ears a flutter, the stony-faced cat-girl nodded and the boss continued. Anything else? No? Okay then. Get your people in order, we leave within the hour. Dismissed. Staying in place, the boss signalled for Rustram to remain behind and predictably, Daxian stayed as well. Sorry I couldnt give you more warning. I didnt expect Colonel Hongji to say no.

We all serve at the Emperors pleasure, was all Rustram could come up with.

Seems like it. Thing is, I dont mind the lack of rest. Were tough, we can handle it. Its this whole asinine plan were supposed to follow. It is, hands down, the stupidest way to fight a war I have ever seen.

Scared? Though his handsome face remained impassive, Daxians voice did all the sneering for him.

No. Actually, Im looking forward to killing some Defiled. A true gentleman, the boss didnt let his irritation show. Problem is, were facing an Enemy who outnumbers us ten to one, so riding out in piecemeal groups to face them on an open field hardly seems productive. We can hardly kill them ten to one while taking a defensive position. How bad will it be out there in the wild?

Fool. Dismissive as ever, Daxian explained, We must ride out to meet the Defiled to show the world we are not afraid. Our victories will be spoken of on every tongue in every bar and brothel in the Empire, raising morale and providing hope to those in need. The warriors left behind to guard, the farmers working the fields, the merchants hiding in their homes, all still have a part to play and without them, we are truly lost. The Defiled are a threat, but it is the Enemy who will be our undoing.

Still stupid. If you want to raise morale, then lie.

And what happens if those lies are proven false? As much as he hated to admit it, Rustram agreed with Daxian on this count. If the Empire loses the trust of the people, then the consequences would be dire indeed.

Closing his eyes, the boss asked, Then what happens when some idiot makes a mistake and loses a thousand soldiers?

Despite all his accomplishments, it seemed like the boss would forever be a worrier, which Rustram found oddly endearing.

With a shrug, Daxian replied, Then the loss will fuel the Empires desire for justice and vengeance. As Mister Rustram said, we all serve. In life or in death, the Emperor cares not.

How... uplifting. If this soldier turned bandit turned mercenary thing doesnt work out, I foresee a lucrative career writing greeting cards in your future. Clutching his rabbit a little closer, the boss sighed and said, I need you to speak with the quartermaster and make sure we have enough supplies for the entire trip. I want us operating on the assumption that we wont be able to hunt or resupply until were back in Sinuji. I doubt the Defiled will think to taint the water supply or scare away the wildlife, but better safe than sorry.

Yes boss.

Also, send word back to Luo-Luo and tell her stop production on the repeating crossbows and focus her efforts elsewhere. Theyre too inefficient for the cost, in both coin and manpower.

This was his chance. Why not adjust the crossbows for a heavier draw? We can easily do it here in the field and while it will take more effort to load each quarrel, even at half the rate of fire, theyll still have their use.

...See, this is why youre my second in command. Daxian, you best keep him safe, because I cant survive without him. Clapping Rustram on the shoulder, the boss grinned and said, I was too focused on the repeating part, but I suppose normal crossbows will work too. Write a letter anyways and tell her well be unreachable for the next little while so she wont panic when I dont return her messages.

Er... Are you sure you dont want to write the message instead, boss? And maybe say something to the rest of your wives?

Tch. Right again. How are you still single? Now stop making me look bad and get to work, before I send a letter telling my mom her Disciple is a slacker. With a playful wink, the boss dismissed Rustram, who strode off with head held high and Daxian in tow, ready to butt heads with the quartermaster over every gram of grain and millilitre of water. While history might not remember Rustrams name, he was content in the knowledge that Imperial Consort Falling Rain considered him indispensable.

Granted, he rather have a loving wife and children to call his own, but until such a time, this would have to do.

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