Chapter 303 - Not “Really,” but “Why”

"What sort of man is he?"

At his adjutant's question, Graham adjusted his position in his seat. A sharp jolt of pain shot from his back all the way to his head. 'Sinar.'

He had heard that the Fairy had given Encrid a salve that was good for wounds. He was the lord of the city. Even setting that aside, weren't they something like comrades after all their time together? Why hadn't so much as a medicinal root come his way, let alone any salve? Distracted by these stray thoughts, Graham answered.

"Who?"

"The commander at Green Pearl." One of his adjutants was a clueless idiot, but the other was above average. Even the questions he asked were different.

'Or is it all relative?'

Perhaps he only seemed intelligent because of the idiot adjutant beside him. Not that Graham could get rid of the clueless one. How far could one person go for another? That adjutant might not stake his life on saving Graham, but he would stake an arm. That was why Graham couldn't dismiss him. "Garrett Gairo."

Graham spoke the name of the man who had once been his superior, but now held the same rank. The name didn't quite roll off his tongue.

Garrett's Battalion had originally been Border Guard's second reserve force, but victory at Green Pearl had turned it into a new Battalion stationed on the Green Pearl plains. "Rumor has it he's an opportunist who'll do anything for personal gain, and that Aspen hasn't attacked because Battalion Commander Garrett has already gone over to their side."

Those rumors could hardly have reached Encrid's ears alone. Graham's ear suddenly itched, and he dug at it with his little finger.

"Someone bad-mouthing me somewhere?"

He suspected the idiot adjutant he'd sent outside for a while. "If Aspen pushes through, the city will be in danger too, sir."

Graham, commander and lord of the city, nodded.

"I'm well aware of that." How should he describe Garrett Gairo?

"Has he betrayed us? I doubt it. If I had to put Krona on it, I'd bet he hasn't."

He was a sly old fox, the exact opposite of the idiot adjutant probably cursing Graham right now. Crafty and shrewd, certainly, but not a traitor.

"Why do you think Commander Marcus put him there?"

* * *

The Battalion Commander was a remarkably handsome man with dull blond hair. He looked middle-aged and approached in long strides.

Encrid instinctively gauged the distance.

'Two and a half steps.'

His sword could reach the man in a quarter of a breath if he wished. ["If we decide he's an enemy, cut him down or subdue him. Take control of the head first, then immediately take command of his troops."]

Krais had said that before they set out. Encrid agreed. He eased his left foot forward, completing his "preparations." He could deliver a quick thrust, or counter with the Snake Sword if the other man attacked first. His right arm was halfway healed, so he could also deflect and strike. Deflect with the right hand and thrust with the left. His mind was ready, too.

Keeping every option open, he met the Battalion Commander. Behind the man stood some troops with bows, infantry, and bodyguards. All of them seemed strangely tense. Battalion Commander Garrett strode up.

"Marcus, you rotten bastard!"

He shouted the words with an odd note in his voice.

"I've been wanting to see you!"

His voice rang out as he reached Encrid. Meticulous in all things, an opportunist, a man who would do anything for profit. That was how people who claimed to know Garrett described him.

No. That didn't seem right at all. "You really are better-looking than me. Nurat! What do you think?"

"He's handsome."

One of the bodyguards answered Garrett's shout: a Black woman with very dark skin. Battalion Commander Garrett knew how to smile. And what a sunny smile it was. Still smiling, he said,

"You're now the most handsome man in Border Guard."

"Agreed."

Krais muttered from behind Encrid. He had been visibly tense and worried, but his remark came out rather deflated. Encrid relaxed a little himself. If even this was calculated, the man deserved to be called more devious than Jaxon. Not that Jaxon would ever accept that description of himself. "Let's go inside."

Garrett turned. Even if he was concealing his skill, what did it mean to show them his back?

Garrett hadn't betrayed them. Encrid understood that both rationally and instinctively. "Still, be careful," Krais said behind him.

What if the man had betrayed them and meant to lure them inside to capture them?

For that to be the case...

'He seems far too careless.'

Scratching his chin, Encrid followed Garrett. If Rem were here, he would probably have called him a wonderfully hearty fellow. But Rem, Audin, and Teresa had stayed behind.

["We need people watching our backs, too. We'll have to bolt if things go wrong."]

That had been Krais's reasoning. Encrid's had been a little different. ["Unless you're trying to get yourselves killed fighting, why bother?"]

They were all injured. When it was time to rest, they should rest.

["A little spit would heal these."]

Rem had protested, but despite his words, he had slathered on plenty of the Fairy salve. He had also coveted Jaxon's collection of medicinal herbs and nearly gotten into a fight over it. ["Even the pointy-ear's salve is wasted on your body. Go mix up some mud and smear that on."]

Jaxon had certainly done his share of needling.

By now, Encrid could break up their fights in his sleep. After separating the two, he had given an order.

["Stay here."] That single sentence had cut off their insistence on following. He had even forced up the Will of refusal as he said it. That was how much willpower he had shown. ["If you go and get yourself killed, I'll personally take up the axe of vengeance."]

Rem had given up first. Audin had merely chuckled, though he hadn't seemed amused.

["All because this body of mine is so weak."]

He had tried to prick Encrid's conscience with self-deprecation. ["Yes. So why not train your body harder?"]

Encrid had fielded the joke smoothly. His tongue, at least, was already knight-level.

["Still haven't learned that trying to beat him with words only gets you beaten, you big bear? I know better, so don't go wagging that tongue at me either."] Rem had offered that advice from the side. Naturally, Audin had ignored it and simply begun praying to himself.

["Did You witness our poor, little Captain's arrogance, Father? Should he enter heaven, please do not work him too harshly."]

The prayer had straddled the line between a blessing and a curse. ["And thank you for the blessing."]

Encrid had added one final remark to claim a flawless victory. Audin had smiled and shaken his head.

Encrid had held his tongue after that, suspecting that any further provocation might earn him a challenge, Captain or not. Otherwise, he still had plenty to say. Teresa alone had offered no resistance. Her injuries had been too severe for that in the first place. Still, she had said killing the Wolf Bishop had been a relief.

Encrid didn't know their history, but he could sense that theirs had hardly been a good relationship.

["Well done."]

He had praised her, and forced Rem and Audin to stay behind. So his companions now were Esther the mage; Krais, who wanted to bolt if things went wrong; Ragna, walking silently with who knew what on his mind; and Jaxon, who had said without a trace of a smile that he was glad they'd left Rem behind. "He looks as if someone poured oil over his face."

Ah, Sinar was with them too. The Fairy Company Commander had a few wounds on her forearms, but they were only scratches.

"He's greasy-looking."

She came closer and whispered again. She meant Garrett, though to Encrid he looked handsome rather than greasy. "Does he?"

Should he be thankful Garrett hadn't heard? Somehow, he seemed likely to shrug it off even if he had. The man was difficult to pin down. "You're my superior now."

"I'm more comfortable speaking to you this way."

Sinar had spent the entire journey insisting that he speak to her with authority.

"Are you the type who likes being ordered around and pushed into things?"

He couldn't resist asking. "Being forced by my betrothed... Intriguing. I wonder how that would feel."

What the hell was she saying? Seriously.

Even for a Fairy joke, wasn't that crossing a line?

"I'm joking."

There was still no trace of a smile on her face. Her reasons for asking him to change his manner of address weren't all strange and bizarre, however. Nor was she actually forcing him. "Problems with the chain of command would be troublesome."

That was the real reason.

"It won't be a problem."

Sometimes Sinar seemed unaware of the power her appearance held. She gave the impression that respect was always her due. Every gesture, every step, every word reminded people that she was a Fairy. "How old are you? If you're younger than me, I'll speak to you less formally."

"The chain of command is none of my concern."

Still expressionless, Sinar turned away. Encrid entered the encampment at Green Pearl. This was practically...

"It's like a small village."

Large trees had been felled to build the palisade. Most people lived in tents, but wooden houses stood here and there too. Other buildings had clearly been left unfinished. Work had probably stopped because of the war and winter. "If we'd only had until next winter, we could have made this into a proper village."

Garrett spoke as they entered the largest tent at the center. He sat at a broad table, with several bodyguards standing behind him. The Black woman from earlier was among them.

Black people could be found in the east of the continent, but they were uncommon here. "Do you know how much I've wanted to meet you?"

Garrett spoke without preamble. Encrid merely tilted his head.

"Ah, those battles! I heard all about them. From the battle of Green Pearl to the War-Ending Soldier. What thrilling stories! Tell me more about..."

"Sir." Garrett was seated, with Nurat standing in attendance behind him. The Black woman bent halfway at the waist to address her commander.

"Ah, this isn't the time for that, is it?"

"No, it isn't."

"Aspen is on our doorstep, sir." Another bodyguard spoke up. He was a large man who looked taciturn at a glance, his square jaw and tightly shut mouth lending him gravity.

"Right. That's a personal matter." Garrett's air changed in an instant. His smile remained unchanged, as did his expression. Yet something had changed. He felt different. The air about him had taken a strange turn.

Like Krais reacting to something involving Krona.

Like Audin confronting someone who had insulted God.

Like Ragna when his enthusiasm for the sword flared.

Like Rem switching off his brain to do something insane. "I think our best option is to give up and run. What do you say?"

Encrid felt Krais twitch at Garrett's words. He would like that. Any mention of running away excited him. "Why?" Encrid asked.

"I can't gauge what the enemy will do."

"That's your reason?"

"It is a reason."

Krais interjected, feeling this was his stage. Encrid didn't stop him. On the contrary, he gave a small nod, encouraging him to continue. Seeing that, Garrett turned his attention to Krais too. "You've got a sharp fellow with you. Your name?"

"Krais."

"To think I'd live to ask a pretty young man's name before those of two beautiful women. Well, would you explain the reason?"

There was a rhythm to Garrett's speech. It was pleasant to listen to, his voice almost musical. Krais had already explained this once, but thought it worth organizing his thoughts again.

"Whether we were fighting Black Blade or the Cultists out front, Aspen only watched."

"Is that reason enough?"

Sinar, who had merely been observing, asked. Encrid was the official supreme commander, but in truth, she could be considered roughly his equal in rank. "A Fairy's voice truly is like a musical instrument."

Garrett seemed to think needles would sprout on his tongue if he stopped spouting nonsense. Sinar ignored him effortlessly. "It is. If what we see is all there is, Aspen should have attacked us first. It's winter. We've established supply lines to Green Pearl, and though our position isn't secure, we can hold it. Even without a castle, defending won't be difficult. How many watchtowers?"

"Eight."

"Spread out?"

"Close together." It was difficult to follow Garrett and Krais's conversation. Encrid waited. They would explain it again anyway.

"And Aspen? Their supplies? Their march? Building an encampment?"

Krais asked more questions, though they were questions with known answers, intended to emphasize his point.

Supplies, marching, building an encampment. None were easy. That was the difference between those who had prepared while the weather was warm and those who hadn't. "Time and circumstances both favor us, yet Aspen only watched."

Privately, Krais thought there must be a monster of an intellect in the enemy camp. Otherwise, it made no sense.

"They've prepared something."

"Exactly. Frankly, I wondered whether they'd simply watch and withdraw. But no." "They're coming?"

"They are."

"How fast?"

"Slowly."

"That's bad."

"It is." Listening from behind, Nurat bent toward her commander.

"No one understands you."

"Krais, use the common tongue."

Encrid also chose that moment to interrupt. Garrett signaled with his eyes, and Krais explained. Aspen had neither seized the advantage nor moved in haste. They were advancing with deliberate purpose. There were two reasons.

"First, they have a complete understanding of our strength," Krais said.

"Second, they're confident they can win," Garrett continued. Krais and Garrett looked at each other. Then, as one, they reached out and lightly slapped their palms together. The clap rang through the tent. "Sir."

Nurat bent down again.

"Ah, this isn't the time to be excited, is it?"

"No, it isn't." Garrett was a peculiar man, but he had a working brain. Nor did he seem to have betrayed them.

Encrid, for his part, refrained from smacking Krais on the back of the head.

"So what if we fall back? If we run now?"

"The city falls, and we become war criminals hauled before the kingdom's court. So running is the answer, except it isn't anymore."

He had asked Krais, but Garrett answered. When the two raised their hands again, Encrid pushed down on Krais's head.

"Then come up with a way to win."

Thinking wasn't his specialty. It was Krais's.

"It doesn't just come to me because you ask. First, the surrounding terrain..."

"Nurat." At Garrett's word, a map appeared: a military map roughly charting the surrounding terrain.

"Any problems with our supplies?"

"None. They'd have to break through four closely spaced watchtowers to touch our supply line." As Krais and Garrett plunged back into a conversation only they understood, Encrid withdrew entirely. He watched for a while, but he would have been lucky to understand half of it.

Sinar had already slipped out. Encrid left the tent too. He wanted some fresh air. Oil had been poured into the brazier, leaving the air inside terribly stuffy.

Outside, he found Ragna, who had left some time ago. Ragna gazed blankly at him. He seemed to have something to say. As Encrid approached, Ragna tilted his head up, looking at the sky beyond the palisade, and asked,

"Why do you want to become a knight?" It was an unexpected question. A welcome one, too.

Not "really," but "why."

He wasn't asking whether Encrid really wanted to become a knight. He was asking why.

The meaning contained in that single question was different.