The Awakening (The Stones of Revenge) (26 page)

“Make your next move.”

“He bleeds.”

“Yet, there is still breath in his lungs.”

“You would have me kill a fellow soldier?”

“He yet breathes,” Preston said again.

“Sir, I can’t.”

“If you cannot finish an enemy when he is down, you are unfit for the Sovereign’s army. Make no mistake, your enemies will not hesitate to kil
l
you.
”

As if in response, Fendrel suddenly awoke and thrust his sword through Merek’s midsection. The blade was diverted, however, by Preston so that it merely gashed his side. A stream of blood oozed onto the dirt.

“Merek, you must leave immediately for your watch on the ridge. Henry will accompany you only long enough to dress your wound. Your watch ends at dawn.”

The diminutive soldier trudged off the field followed closely by a medic. Preston turned his attention to Fendrel.

“You will accompany me to the Feast this eve. Prepare yourself with the finest garb you own. We will meet at sundown on the castle commons. The rest of you! How dare you call yourselves men, let alone soldiers. None of you had the fortitude to seek combat this day, but sought out the blood of one of your comrades. You have disgraced this company.”

He paused for effect.

“You are dismissed.”

At the command, they, in unison, pounded a fist upon their chest and grunted an “Aye, sir!”

The men dispersed and headed for the barracks across the barren field they were standing in. At the same time, another man jogged across the field towards the arena sunlight glinting off of his bronze armor.

“Sir! Captain Royce is requesting a word with you. He says he has urgent business that concerns only you.”

“Of course he does,” he said under his breath. “Tell him I’ll report in five minutes.”

“Aye, sir,” the soldier said then ran off in the direction he had come.

Half an hour later, the captain called Preston into his office in the square, marble building across the training grounds. His demeanor was as cold as he had ever seen. The captain’s face was stone, never betraying the emotions bottled up within. As he shut the large wooden door, an ominous boom echoed throughout the grounds.

“Sergeant, have you seen the condition of your recruits?”

“Aye, sir.”

“Then why are they the sorriest waste of space in the entire realm!” the captain said, his nose almost touching Preston’s. “Isn’t your job to turn them into warriors? My God, most days all I see is recruit after recruit headed for the healing quarters. If I had half a mind, I would report you to the Lieutenant for neglect of duty!”

Preston held his tongue as he had been trained. He did not flinch but steadily returned his commander’s gaze.

“Sergeant, I am forced to conclude that this, along with the death of that woman a month ago, takes your leadership ability into serious question.”

Preston cringed at the thought of that poor woman. Though he had dealt swiftly with the offenders, the situation had haunted him ever since.

“And possibly your loyalty,” he added, squaring his eyes at the sergeant. Preston clenched his fists until drops of blood appeared. No one had ever questioned his allegiance before.

Captain Royce took a long while to take in the moment. He did not speak, but rather bored his eyes into Preston. It was as if the moment he had waited so long for had arrived.

“Fortunately for you, those above me do not have the same concerns. You have been given an assignment,” the captain spoke suddenly, his voice echoing off the solid walls. “Lord Elton sent a priceless treasure, which had been in his family for three hundred years, to Lord Dawson for safe keeping during the Great War. The dagger has been a family heirloom for three hundred years. Lord Dawson was returning it when his envoy was attacked. Now, it has gone missing. In two days, you are to take a company of two of your most trusted men and return it safely to the Sovereign. The attack occurred at the crossroads near Rindland.”

“Understood, sir” Preston said.

“One more thing, sergeant.” The words nearly spit out of the captain’s mouth. “Fail, and I will personally see to it that you are stripped of your title and honor and removed from this army.”

“Understood,” he said through clenched teeth.

“Dismissed.”

Preston made an about face and walked out of the small room letting the door slam behind him.