Victor Deus (Heritage of the Blood Book 1) (36 page)

“That is beside the point Nim, it's bad for morale if the soldiers think you might gut them on a whim.” Commander Cantel said with a straight and serious expression.

Looking stricken Nim put on a mock tone of Suffering. “But Stewart, I have a reputation to uphold, surely coming from me it can't be anything more than motivation.” Nim grinned at the smaller man as Stewart began to laugh.

“Nim, you're nothing but trouble, but I suppose you are right. It's better that the men fear and respect you, that way their unadulterated respect for their superiors can be nothing but strengthened by your callousness.”

Looking even more hurt than before Nim stated flatly. “You're a cruel man.” Victor wasn't sure he was acting anymore.

“Yes, I am. Now, let's get down to business. Zander is out with a scouting party on the other side of Asylum. This is the positions of the encampments he has seen thus far. It is a large force, about two hundred fifty thousand strong. It is compromised of mostly goblin-kind and Blood Orcs though. A few frost and fire giants have been spotted, So far there have only been a few Blood Mages and two Dracair warriors amongst their numbers. A Dracair patrol was spotted, but they will no longer bother us.”

“How many did he lose?” Nim asked.

Cringing Cantel said “Half, five men to take care of one Dreadnaught and two warriors. I'm afraid what would happen if they ever came at us in force Nim.”

“We have a lot of good men, and some the best Mages anywhere Stewart. We'll be able to make them rue the day they decided to test our tenacity.”

“Yes, but I'm afraid that we'll lose that battle anyway, they also have some good Mages. Some of whom were academy trained. Those traitors could tip the balance. Even if they do not, there is no telling what other monstrosities have been bred, or what devices they have created for just that occasion. We need a spy Nim, and I'm afraid none of us have enough of the pure Draconic blood running through us like those half-breeds.”

“We have enough of our base natures left not to be corrupted by the power that our Draconic side wishes to acquire.” Nim said, before frowning. “Well at least some of us can resist it more than others.”

“Nim, it is not your fault your father was a Dracair assassin. You have proven yourself a thousand times over. We all hoard treasure, its part of our nature, there is nothing to be ashamed of in that. Your skills at some of the darker things have helped us just as much as your love of life for those that deserve it. Never doubt that you are above the Dracair. They kill remorselessly, anyone that gets in their way be they soldier or a civilian. The quest for power and prestige amongst their ranks is all that matters to them. They would never have found homes for orphans, yes I know about that. There are too many amongst our ranks that you personally have saved from fates that no one would choose for it to go unnoticed. Your reputation is not as cruel as you think it is Nim. Those men out there, they fear you yes, but they respect you more. Your exploits with Tetriarch Halcyon and Colonel Theromvore are legendary.”

“Retired Colonel, and don't say legendary, we aren't dead yet.” Nim said with a grimace.

“You know as well as I do Brigadier General Mithriannil that you never quite retire from the Protectorate. Ashur knows this as well as you do.”

“Wait a minute!” Victor cut in. “Ashur is a Theromvore too?” Victor looked at Nim accusingly. “That's interesting.”

Nim had enough courtesy to look ashamed of leaving that information out of his notes. “Yes Victor, I guess he and I are cousins of a sort.”

Stewart laughed. “Yes Victor, Ashur is brother to the King. I assumed that you knew this. Of course, his family didn't like Nim taking him out on his adventures, but there wasn't much that they could do to stop them either. In fact, they even acquired one hell of a reputation amongst the Protectorate. Enough to give them code names at least…”

“That will be enough of that.” Nim said tartly. “We are getting off subject here, what do you want me to do?” Victor knew that Nim had not missed the look he had given him that said this conversation was not yet through and they would talk about it later, and at great length.

“I'd like you to take command of the three twenty third…”

“No” Nim said.

“… Come on Nim…” High Commander Cantel pleaded.

“No” Nim stated, his tone growing stronger.

“Would you at least think about it?”

“No” Nim replied.

Stewart Cantel sighed. “Fine, I'd like you to take command of the first squad of the first company of the third platoon in the three twenty third.”

“That I can do. Now, I'd like to go take command and get them ready for scouting before you put me in charge of a corps again.” He said this and turned to leave, but a grin crossed his face before he was halfway turned, and quickly turned back for a crisp salute.

“Nim you are never going to grow up are you?”

“Sir, is that an order to grow up from the High Commander Sir?” Nim asked, his smile not quite leaving his face.

“No Nim, if you grew up I wouldn't have a job.” He sighed and returned Nim's salute so he would put his arm down.

“Now, Stewart that's not true. You are the most qualified to command the Knights.” Nim stated seriously.

“Be that as it may Nim, your exploits are known far and wide, while mine have all been in the background. I think if you hadn't retired four years ago you would be here instead of me.” The High Commander stated, his voice full of regret.

Nim put his hand on Stewart Cantel's shoulder. “My friend, not only have you been High Commander for the last seven years, but had they tried I would have turned it down. You know I hated being promoted as far as I had been. They tried to restrain me to a desk job. None of us can handle being out of the action for long, but you have a lot more patience than I would. Have no doubt that you are the right man for the job. Now, you do your job and I will do mine. Come on Victor.”

“You're not taking the boy with you are you?” Stewart asked in a shocked voice.

Nim looked thoughtfully at Victor. “Tell me Victor, what you would do if I were to leave you here.”

Victor shrugged and stated flatly. “I'd follow you.”

The two men laughed and Stewart Cantel looked at Victor. “You keep him out of trouble then Victor.”

“Oh, I donno about that High Commander, I figure if anyone starts the trouble it will probably be me.” Victor grinned from ear to ear as he slid his finger across the hilt of his dagger.

Stewart Cantel raised an eyebrow and looked at Nim questioningly. “You sure you want to take him with you? I could have him thrown in a holding cell.”

“No, we learned the same way.”

“You were thirteen and I was fourteen when we learned on the field though Nim, and even that was considered taboo. Don't you think he's a bit young still?”

Nim shrugged. “Maybe, there is only one way to find out.” He turned and walked out of the tent and Victor followed.

Twenty minutes later, they located the squad that Nim was going to take charge of. The men in camp they found were all hardened soldiers used to recon missions. The first man Victor saw was Sergeant McDowell, a Mountain Dwarf with dark red hair, and a scar on his grizzled face. Victor wondered how anything that big could be called a dwarf.

“McDowell! You're still a sergeant?” Nim said clasping arms with the Dwarf who was nearly six feet tall. His shoulders were as wide as an oxen, and seemingly twice as thick. Despite his size, he moved with a fluid carriage of one who was death in motion.

“Ah Nim, ye be knowin' that them commanders would never allow a simple sort such as meself in command of more than a dozen men.” McDowell said with a feigned sadness.

“Oh yes, I seem to recall something about a border tower exploding a few years back.” Nim grinned as the sturdy dwarf flinched.

“Ye be knowin' that tweren't me fault lad. Them mages shoulda told me what them kegs was full of. Can't be blamin' a thirsty dwarf fer lookin' inta a keg now can ye?” McDowell grinned as Nim began laughing at the last part of the dwarfs statement.

“No my friend, one cannot blame you on that count. It would have been a great loss to the Knights if you would have been found in a dozen pieces however.”

“Oh lad, don't give me that horse dung. There are thousands in this camp more skilled than meself, Stronger than meself, and smarter than meself.” The Dwarf's voice carried a tone that let Victor know that this was a man who didn't take any nonsense from anyone.

Looking critically at the dwarf Nim stated flatly. “Yes, and they didn't survive three hundred years in the Wardens and another hundred years in the Knights. Many with more skill, strength, and intelligence have died in that time, yet you are still here. Be that as it may though, it's not the point, and I'm not here to argue. I have been given the charge of overseeing the operational procedures of this unit.”

Scowling the dwarf said. “That's just a fancy way of sayin' that yer takin' over me unit General. Don't be tryin' ta blow smoke up me arse. As ye said yerself I'm a bit too old fer that nonsense.

Nim grinned sardonically. “Fine, I'm here to take over for awhile. Now, assemble the men so I can see what I have to work with here.”

About a minute and a half later, by Victor's calculations, there were nine of the dourest looking individuals Victor thought he would ever see in his life. The unit was comprised of three humans, two Dwarves, two Gray Elves, a Half-elf, and what Victor thought must be a half-ogre. Sergeant McDowell stood in front of his men giving them scowls and barking commands. When everything seemed to be to the powerfully built Dwarves satisfaction he briskly turned and saluted Nim.

“All present and accounted for General Mithriannil.” With that a murmur went through the troops that was quickly stopped with a sharp head turn from the sergeant.

Nim returned the salute and said, “I'm retired” as he overlooked the men.

Victor noted McDowell's grin as he watched Nim appraise his men. “Aye General, yer retired, and all me an' me boys are gonna be doin' is campin' out under the stars enjoying each others company for the next few months.” Victor noted the sharp intake of breath by the Half-Elf in line when McDowell had said 'me boys', and after a few moments of further study realized that it was in fact a woman. After a few more moments of consideration Victor thought she might even be considered attractive if she took off her leather armor that restrained and mostly hid her curves.

“Where on Terrazil did you ever acquire such a multiplicity of men?” Nim was obviously impressed by whatever it was he saw in this group. Victor wasn't quite sure if Nim had heard the half-elf clear her throat slightly when Nim used the term men, but it made Victor grin a little.

Grinning enough so that Victor thought the man's head might split right in half McDowell said. “Well laddie, that's one of the perks of bein' around so long an' not bein' promoted. The brass allows ye to pick and choose on occasion. One or two of 'em actually requested transfers to this squad, only Ragnós would know why anyone would want that. Each one is accounted the best soldiers I've ever worked with though. A true soldier every one. They don't want ta be in command, they just want ta be in the field doin' their jobs.” The dwarf's tone sounded very satisfied as he talked about his soldiers. When he continued his tone was more whimsical than anything. “Oh I miss those days General.”

Nim rolled his eyes at the dwarf's need to use his title. “We all miss those days sergeant McDowell. Now, introduce me to the… soldiers.” Victor caught the grin the little elven woman shot at Nim. It was as if she had won a victory. It was a small victory, but as Victor would soon find out, every victory, no matter how small was to be appreciated, because every defeat no matter how insignificant weighs heavily on ones consciousness.

Chapter 16

A World at War

Year 3043 AGD

Month of Ragnós

 Seventh day

Continent of Terroval

Southwest of Stalwart

Where do you think those two are going?”

“Well by their grim faces, I'd say that they were going to tell whoever is in charge in that cave that their fifth patrol that they sent out this week hasn't returned, just like the rest of 'em.”

Shawnrik looked at the two men who had taken on the burden of his 'real world' training just two months ago and grinned. “Think they'll send out another?”

Dunnagan chuckled dryly. “They just might lad, they haven't seemed ta get the idea up ta this point.”

“You know, I was thinking about that.” Ashur said as he surveyed the encampment with his spyglass. “The only reason I can think of for them to continue sending patrols is that they are looking for something.”

“Or, they are just stupid.” Shawnrik added.

“Well there's always that.” Ashur added with a chuckle. “But, if you look at the subtle organization of the camp, you might develop a different opinion.” Shawnrik looked at him skeptically, which prompted his instructor to continue. “See how their camps seem to be placed sporadically within the ravine? Things also appear to have been thrown about without care. I don't know about you two, but in the last week I haven't seen more than a bone thrown about without care. If you look close almost every camp down there has the same layout. The clutter is not really in the way, and there are clear paths all the way through the encampment. You'll also notice the way the wagons have been placed strategically so that they are able to be pushed over. That makes good fortified positions for them to fall back on should they lose ground to an enemy. The rocks on the side of that cave entrance have been supported by beams that if knocked away would allow those two stone slabs to fall in front creating a very defensible position, and I suspect that a bit further back there is a set up that will close the cave completely.” Dunnagan whistled softly as Ashur finished his observations and turned to Shawnrik. “So, what does that tell us?”

Shawnrik let the information he had just been given a few moments to absorb before he answered.” Well, for one thing they plan on being here for a while, or that they have already been here for awhile. Secondly that they must have air holes, and probably an escape route out the back of that cave.. Which also means that they could have sent out other patrols from that entrance.”