Para Bellum, 1.1
The air in the council chambers was heavy and suffocating. A dark cloud hung above the nine men. A sense of creeping doom filled the air and infiltrated their hearts and minds.
War.
Slowly, inevitably, it would come. The mighty eastern Barunacan Empire had united, conquered, all the myriad city-states on her own continent, but it was known to all that it was only the beginning. Barunaca was setting her sights on the western continent. The God-Empress Celeste would not stop until she ruled all of humanity.
Rayal was next.
Situated on the isthmus that connects East and West, any army that wanted to get from one continent to the other had to pass through the Rayaltian Great Gate, through the Divisory Walls which cut the isthmus in half. Sea voyage was made impossible or too dangerous by the rocky cliffs surrounding Rayal and characteristic of the isthmus and by the tempestuous waters plagued by the Great Beasts of the sea. Each of these men knew this all too well. For Barunaca and her God-Empress to continue, Rayal must fall. Yet it was their duty to protect it.
The four captains of the Rayaltian Guard and their lieutenants were meeting with their general to discuss how to deal with their hopeless situation.
“I now call this war council to session,” spoke the general, his gnarled hands steepled. “We are to discuss how best we deal with Barunaca and its intent to conquer our fair city. Third Captain,” the old man nodded to the only woman in the room, “we shall have your report now.”
Captain Belia stood up, a shadow moving across her tired face. A month ago she had not a grey strand of hair. Now it was hard to see one that wasn’t. “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. The intelligence we have gathered is dire. We estimate that the Barunacan military consists of over two hundred thousand regular soldiers, plus support staff including mages and roughly twice that number in auxiliaries.” A collective grimace passed around the room; Rayal could only muster forty thousand troops.
“Furthermore, Barunacan siege technology has dramatically improved in recent years. The Divisory Walls would hold out for less than a week under sustained bombardment.” Belia set her hands on the conference table, her gaze cast downwards, “That is, with reinforcement from all of our mages and assuming no magical interference from the enemy.” The entire room was too shocked to speak.
“It is hopeless, then?” The Fourth Captain, Lifnus, broke the silence. “Rayal is doomed?” Nobody could say otherwise for long moments.
“Surely you do not suggest surrender,” put in First Captain Ichimus. “We have all sworn an oath to protect Rayal’s sovereignty.”
The Second Captain interrupted, “Nobody has mentioned that option. Indeed, it is not an option. However, it is clear that we stand no chance in a normal fight. In order to protect Rayal, we must win a moral victory and make the enemy troops unwilling to fight.”
“But that’s impossible,” the Third Captain interjected, seated once again. “The Barunacans have absolute faith in their god.”
General Geldoy stood and the discussion died around him. “The Second Captain is quite right. If we are to hold any hope of Rayal’s survival, we must shatter that faith.” The captains exchanged worried glances, and then a smile lit the general’s wrinkled face. “I am not senile yet, friends. I’ve read the reports on the siege of Arastala. Duke Nilfus managed to wound Celeste.” The general didn’t mention that the duke had been the most powerful mage the eastern continent had seen in centuries and how, despite the fact that he managed to draw a pinprick of blood from the Goddess Celeste, he had been soundly defeated.
“We have all heard the legends,” the general continued. “In our hour of greatest need, a hero would retrieve the sabre Sikareetei from Ni-Jol. I believe that hero is in this chamber and with that sword he can defeat Celeste, and thus save Rayal from her domination.”
“Sir!” The Second Captain sounded, knowing who the general was speaking of and what he planned. “You can not be serious! You can not stake the fate of Rayal and her people on fairy tales and magic trinkets!”
Geldoy sighed. “It is all that I can do. Maluras Cinnis, captain of the Second Division of the Rayaltian Guard, you must travel to Ni-Jol and retrieve Sikareetei.”
Captain Cinnis surged to his feet, nearly shouting, “Sir! You would send me halfway around the world when Rayal needs me most? Barunaca’s armies could be marching as we speak!”
“This is why you must leave immediately. This is an order, captain,” Geldoy added. He sat down, indicating that the conversation was at an end. Cinnis’ face screwed as though someone had stabbed him in the gut. He stood there for a second, trembling, then stormed out of the chamber, the green cloak of his station billowing after him. His lieutenant stood, bowed apologetically, and then rushed silently after his superior.
---
“Mal!” Lieutenant Keltat called out, chasing after the furious green figure of his captain. “Mall, wait up!” Cinnis stopped, but did not turn. Keltat caught up, putting a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “That wasn’t like you, to blow up like that.”
“Maybe not,” the captain said without facing him, “but you know how much I love this city, Silvan.”
Silvan Keltat didn’t wait any longer for him to turn around and positioned himself in front of Cinnis. The captain didn’t meet his subordinate’s earnest blue eyes. “I know, Mal. You’re married to your job, to this city. I know better than all those hot tarts looking to get into your pants and coffers that you’ve snubbed.” The usual jibe failed to rouse a response from its target. “You couldn’t change anything if you stayed here. So come, I’ll buy you a drink, and if you must shed manly tears you’ll shed them in the bosom of a busty barmaid!”
“I suppose,” Cinnis started, his face sombre, “that I shall not shed any tears, then.”
Silvan smiled, flashing his sparkling white teeth, “That’s what I just said!” Finally they both broke out with laughter. Maluras ruffled his smaller friend’s blond hair and they thumped each other’s backs. As they walked towards the castle gates, Silvan pulled a silver flask from somewhere in his black dress tunic. Unscrewing the cap he held it aloft, “Here’s to my captain, his luxurious brown hair, bright baby blues, manly face, and the fact that he leaves enough women for the rest of us!” He took a deep draught, not offering to share.
“You sound as though you were a fae, Silvan,” Maluras chided, smiling. “Besides,” he added, snatching the flask and taking a much more modest sip, “I have no need to prove my manhood like a fresh-faced recruit.”
Silvan accepted his flask back with a look of mock horror, “Oh captain, you wound me.”
“Spare me,” the captain snorted, “if you were that sensitive the beasts would have gotten you years ago. I really think you may be a fae—“ The screech of a raven interrupted their friendly banter. It circled high above them in the vaulted ceiling once, then landed in front of the two officers. Nearly three feet tall, it was no ordinary bird; it was a familiar.
“Captain Cinnis, this is a message from General Geldoy,” the raven cawed. “You are to report to the Head Mage of the University. You will be told the details of your journey there.” Then, as the black beast lifted off once more, “Lieutenant Keltat is to pack for the both of you in the meantime.”
“I guess that means I’m going with you,” remarked Silvan as he watched the raven fly away.
“We both already knew that.” Maluras stared after the messenger as they reached the castle’s open gates. “This is farewell for now.” Rayal’s
“I’ll see you when I see you!” Silvan snapped off a smart salute, beaming, then jogged off to start packing. Maluras stalked the other way, brooding over the fate of his city.
---
Edit: More of chapter 1 is up now. It contains a glimpse of the relationship between Captain Cinnis and his lieutenant, Silvan Keltat.
I really like the dynamic between these two guys. Keltat's dialogue practically writes itself. Though, he's far too exuberant and uses alliteration too much, so I'll have to watch that. I'll also have to make sure it doesn't quite seem like they're gay with each other, too...
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