CHAPTER 8:
The Worst to Come
The medals twinkled like stars as they bathed in the moonlight sneaking into the tent. They were only a piece of the glitz, as weapons, plaques and coins adorned the rest of the tent not leaving a single corner undecorated. However his brisk foot tapping decorated the floor with mud prints as he anxiously waited for the tent’s owner. He counted 2107 foot taps since he had entered the tent 8 minutes ago. Though those 8 minutes felt like a stretch of uncountable days that couldn’t come any later. The entire time, he had forgotten to blink causing his eyes to turn red and water, so he closed them. In the blank canvas of black his mind painted the image of Zultor in front of him, so he quickly opened them. To distract himself he tried to match his taps with his heartbeat, but his foot couldn’t keep up. After all of his attempts it seemed impossible to distract himself while his impending doom finished its cigar outside. He waited and wondered how long it would take to finish, he wanted to know how much longer he had til his demise. His ears honed to the outside to hear any signals of its approach. Common camp noises like thuds from equipment, chatter, and movement in other tents burdened his hearing. As he listened he could hear the volume slowly begin to restrict itself, revealing his target. He looked to the left side of the tent as the noise narrowed with the arrival of mud splattering steps. His neck turned to follow them as they made their way to the front, he quickly turned in fear as Zultor walked past him to sit at the desk across from him. He kept his head down, the sounds of papers being organized came about. Zultor cleared his throat, making Geoffren jolt in fear. The papers stopped and were followed by a sinful silence. His head bobbed from hesitation to look up, but he eventually made it. Zultor sat across from him with a displeased face.
“Did you tell Evanglow to see me like you said you would?”
“No I forgot I-I’m sorry.” Geoffren said.
“Has he lost faith in me as well?” He said smugly. Is that why he hasn’t seen me yet”.
“Wait…I–”
“You two conversed behind my back. Rather than both of you just follow orders, you felt my decisions were not up to par?.”
“Zultor, It’s not like that.”
“You’ve lost faith in me, the both of you. I can sense it.” Zultor started.
“Everyone in this camp can attribute their lives to me. I have watched over everyone, have for 2 years now. Yes, I’ve lost a few along the way, but for the most part, everyone that’s still here is because of me. I protect us and save us from the evils of war, you especially. Geoffren, you’re alive here today because I have made sure you can be. You are the way you are today because of the decisions I have made. All the other people in this camp trust and respect me. Why can’t you?”
“I can, I just wanted to know. I just had to ask that question..” Geoffren said.
“Questions are bad for faith, Geoffren. The lord works in mysterious ways, you just watch it happen. You never question it, do you need a reminder on the first testament?”
“The first testament does not concern me, an oath about me does, I had to know!” Geoffren shouted.
“If it concerns you or not, you don’t need to know. I head this hierarchy. I make the decisions here. My word is writ, and you comply.”
“But I do comply. I do everything you tell me, I blindly travel across state lines and kill secessionists like wildfire. Am I not owed an answer?!”
“You are not owed anything. You are ordered to do these things with nothing but a pat on the back and a new rank in return, your little party was purely an act of 40 years of friendship. A friendship you no longer seem to give a fuck about.”
“FRIENDS CAN ANSWER A SIMPLE FUCKING QUESTION!”
“Geoffren. Lower your tone, and sit the fuck down…” Zultor said. Almost instantly, both happened to Geoffren’s surprise. It felt unnatural to see Zultor below him, it confused him. His urge to protest Zultor’s decisions dwindled with the noise between the two. An unseasonable shared emotion pelted their hearts in the silence.
“Sorry…” Geoffren said quietly. The tension left in sighs released from their old bearded mouths. Zultor rubbed his face with a deep breath while Geoffren took off his hat to run through his hair. The duty of speaking next was a difficult bridge to cross for both parties after such an explosive show. Both awkwardly looked around the room before Zultor spotted the perfect tool to fix such a broken moment.
“Want a drink?” He said, met with a nod. Geoffren threw back a large swig of whiskey, giving him enough courage to continue.
“We both understand, you’ve never doubted me once in your entire life, but now that you do, it has opened my eyes to something.” He continued. With his attention caught, Geoffren stopped swirling his glass and looked up.
“I understand doubt pertains to so many different things, especially in a setting like this. But you’ve made me begin to question you, Geoffren.” He continued. “You don’t trust me.”
“Of course I do. With my life.” Geoffren said with doubt himself.
“You asking me such a question at the lake, it confused me, it scared me. 40 years of service together should not warrant such a misdeed. Do you agree?”
“Yeah...”
“Then you would agree, you’ve wronged me and you need to make up for it. You questioning my judgment is highly offensive to my skills as a leader and our long lasting friendship. Asking me a question exhibits your lack of faith in me, and when you lose faith in me, I lose faith in you. I am benevolent though, I’ll give you a chance. So you need to tell me, how can I regain my trust in you?” Zultor asked. No answer felt true to how Geoffren actually felt. The one Zultor was seeking would not come from any genuine source at any genuine time.
“You tell me.” Geoffren reluctantly answered. He knew that just doing what Zultor said would make his life easier, being on his bad side was a death sentence. Zultor chuckled with a sly smile and walked over to his shelf to pull out a mess of papers. He casually sorted through them until finding a map drawn on a handkerchief and handed it to Geoffren.
“Enemies are back in Tennessee?” Geoffren asked.
“Georgia, right on the edge of Tennessee, you’ll just be opening the ball for a dance is all, instructing the rebels on our undertaking to win this thing to full capacity.” He responded. A whiskey focused Geoffren gulped the glass with the smeared handkerchief in his hands. He almost used it to wipe his mouth and they both laughed.
“I’ll leave at 7 in the morning then.” Geoffren said as he placed the glass down. “I should be back in 2 days.”
“You’ve actually been assigned with a few others, not any parlor soldiers, my word.” Zultor said. Geoffren held a curious look “Who?”.
“O’Hetra Raygal of course, he’s fit and listens to everything you say. Never thought I’d see anyone fancy you that much haha!! I need to take notes from you!”
“That’s a given, I feel like he’d come with even if he wasn’t assigned to.”
“Suillian Kelnick, extremely talented, perceptive, and dangerous as all get out. He told me how well he performed in this last mission you two were on together and I figured he’d fit great on this team.”
“Not bad. Who’s next?”
“You’re gonna need a sawbones so I have appointed Draydus Evanglow for this mission as well. He’d die before he lets any of you.” Zultor said. The butterflies ricocheted through Geoffren’s stomach at the mention, though he maintained his composure and gave a simple nod.
“Our relationship will be drastically different after what just happened I’m sure, but it’ll be a quick mission.” He thought.
“Just in case you come in contact with some heavy artillery, I packed you some of your own, Niu Bullus can take care of any issues you will have with large groups or weaponry.”
“Bullus? The food guy? I thought you said no parlors.” Geoffren snickered
“I gave you my word, Geoffren. He will be effective. And the last one…” Zultor’s voice echoed before nothingness filled his brain. Geoffren’s ears instinctively censored the name after it was uttered, as if to protect him.
“Pardon, what was that last name again?” He shook his head to refocus.
“That’s alright, its–” This time the name made it through. A powerful trepidation sieged Geoffren’s mind after the words were said, a fear felt like no other. Hearing them was soul snatching and left Geoffren feeling bodiless. His bulging wet eyes vibrated to the booming static that emptied his head of any other thought. The incredibly influential feeling caused gritted teeth accompanied with the need to be reminded to breathe as he sat in a muzzy state. His body tensed, gritting his teeth, they bit into his tongue and sent blood down his chin. His surroundings swirled and distorted from the lack of breathing, Zultor stared at him like a stranger, both unrecognizable to the other. His long time friend had shown a side he hadn’t known existed.
“Geoffren, are you ok?” He asked. The flood gates opened as his mouth unclenched and led to a deeply aghast and bloody exhale, truly showing the internal damage that name caused him.
“E- Eb- Ebnus Benwikere?” Geoffren asked as the blood seeped out of his mouth.
“Yes he’s–” Before Zultor could finish, Geoffren stumbled out of the chair to the exit but lost all motor skills. His body froze in something close to the fetal position in the corner of the room as Zultor ran to him.
“Geoffren! We didn't even drink that much!” He said standing over him. Geoffren’s once uneasy eyes stabbed at Zultor with a suffocating fury.
“Its not the drink, you fuck!” Zultor was taken aback by Geoffren's angered scream.
“How dare you speak to me that way!”
“I decline this mission!” Geoffren said, attempting to push himself up. An inability to process the words befell Zultor, he wasn’t used to hearing them, especially not from Geoffren.
“Huh? The hell has gotten into you? No you don’t! That’s an order!”
“I will not be going anywhere near Ebn-...Ebnus Benwikere! I refuse!”
“HAHA! LIKE HELL YOU DO! YOU’RE OFF WITH HIM TOMORROW MORNING!’
“WHY HIM?!”
“HE’S SHOWN GREAT IMPROVEMENT, HE’S A POWERHOUSE. HE. IS. GOING. END OF DISCUSSION!” Zultor fired back. The two then entered a screaming match, yelling over one another.
“NO. NO. NO. NO. NO!”
“I’VE GROWN REAL SORE OF THIS NEWFOUND ATTITUDE YOU HAVE!”
“NO I REFUSE! NO. NO!”
“YOU HAVE BEEN ORDERED BY MYSELF, YOUR COMMANDING OFFICER ON A MISSION OF HIGH IMPORTANCE!” They both shouted. Geoffren’s voice ceased when
Zultor yanked him from the ground and slammed him into the bookshelf by his collar. Looks of angered surprise fluttered as books fell around and on them.
“Do you need to be reminded of all the things I do for you?! How I protect you…from everything!” Zultor said, shaking him with each word.
“You’re here because of me, you ungrateful muggins. All your worth is attributed to me! I never ask much of you! As your ally, your best friend, your brother by war, you can’t do it? Not for an old friend?” Zultor asked as his grip tightened. Geoffren’s heart raced despite changing to a calmer demeanor. His fidgeting hand softly met Zultor’s that was strongly grappled to his collar.
“I can’t, I’m sorry.” He said, dropping to the floor. Zultor drowned his cup with the sweet drink and took patient sips in thought. The other put his hat back on and cautiously slid back up, leaving.
“So you’re done making sacrifices?” he asked, setting the glass down “I did for you, quite a bit, but you can’t for me?” Zultor said. Geoffren faced him with a tired look, ready to say no again.
“You only seem to sacrifice when it’s for yourself.” he said, turning around. The worst came to mind when said, his knowing of the event was highly disfavored, every precaution taken was to avoid it. Pretending like it wasn’t what was happening wasn’t something that would lighten or dissolve the tension, it was hopeless.
“I had no choice, if I died they all would have too.” Geoffren responded stoically.
“Geoffren, I don’t care that you did it, you could have killed 100 men and I still would’ve saved you.”
“What?”
“I fixed your problem for you. I got word of what you did and stopped it from spreading to the Auspex. You would be a jailbird by now if it wasn’t for me. I felt the need to help my friend and did, surely, it’s something you can sympathize with.”
“And Ephraim?”
“What about Ephraim?”
“Ummm.. have you spoken to him?”
“I have not, last time I saw him was with you before your mission. I suppose I can go–”
“Don’t worry about it, he’s fine.” Geoffren said as he brushed it off. The two looked around in silence once more. Geoffren twiddled his thumbs, hoping to be dismissed. As the time passed and nothing was said, he realized Zultor would not let him leave until he agreed to the mission. The butterflies from earlier, now sharp and twisted, stabbed the inside of his stomach at the thought of going to Georgia with him. Though the feeling of being indebted to Zultor, however, was somehow worse than any feeling relating to the other man. The guilty gratitude granted by Zultor’s actions was something he was much too familiar with, it was like having a gun to the back of your head at all hours, never knowing when the trigger would be pulled. Comparing the two gave him a clear victor, he’d much rather be on Zultor’s good side and do the quick and easy mission. Though one last attempt at compromise never hurt anybody.
“Take him off the team and I’ll go.” He asked “I’m more than willing to help, I just feel like he will limit our capabilities to complete it.”
“You know I won’t do that, Ebnus would be a great addition to any team. I would expect nothing less, he shares his brother’s–”
“Don’t finish that sentence, please. I’ll go. If it means we’re even and you won’t hate me I’ll go. But I’ll dread every second of it.”
“Good Geoffren, and so you know, we will never be even.” Zultor said as he shook his hand. He started his walk to his tent for some rest. The moon seemed to be covered by trees or hiding from him as he walked, the deepness of the dark had him thinking he was already asleep. With the blank canvas of the dark, his mind replayed the recent events in front of him like a movie. Over and over he thought about Zultor, the other man, and how much both horrified him. He walked into his tent and jumped right into bed, images of the day flashing with each long blink before he slept. This slumber was surprisingly peaceful, it was empty. The usual nightmares were lived out in person, no room for any during his sleep. The beautiful feeling left once a weightless knocking on the tent cloth woke him. His eyes slowly opened to the sunlight coming through the microscopic tent threads. The light rattled from the tent’s aggressor.
“General, are you awake?” Raygal loudly whispered. He reluctantly got out of bed and opened the tent. The two walked through the camp’s morning ferociousness to the meeting point. They passed the mess hall as everyone circled around it waiting for food. Bullus stood in front of them all, yelling at the chef before noticing them.
“I’ll be a minute!” He said before going back to yelling. They walked a little further till reaching the point. It was the start to a dark green populace of pine trees that towered into the sky, seemingly thousands of them spread towards Georgia’s state line. Once entered, sunlight became a myth to all but outsiders of the wild kingdom built by a god. The visitors stood in anticipation for their allies until one made himself known.
“Morning.” Kelnick said, walking out of the forest. His green eyes lit through the darkness as he stepped into the light.
“How long have you been here?” Raygal asked.
“An hour, I like to see who shows up first apart from me. I was worried it’d be Evanglow and I’d have to hide from him till all of you showed up as well.”
“Doesn’t take a lot of grit to hide. Don’t you think?” Raygal said with a playful smile.
“It’s either that or awkwardly talk about our feelings. Everytime I’m alone with him he tries to reconcile or force some kind of mutual apology about our past disagreements and that’s one battlefield I can’t brave.” Kelnick said with a slight chuckle. Their conversation was cut short as the topic of discussion arrived looking disheveled. His eyes had red puffiness from crying and his hair was disarray. He looked over at Geoffren who hastily avoided eye contact.
“Your peacocking manner is still in bed I see.” Raygal said.
“I choose to turn the other cheek once more.” He responded tiredly. His uncanny tortured look drew questions from everyone except for Geoffren. Taking in what Kelnick said earlier, he decided to avoid being alone with Evanglow at all costs.
“I hear an angel but fail to see one.” Kelnick added.
“I don’t look that bad. Just didn’t sleep too much is all.”
“You look like shit!” Bullus said with a full mouth as he walked up. He was eating a handful of scrambled eggs with an apple in his other hand.
“Uhhhh…who?” Raygal asked.
“At first I was gonna say Evanglow, but now that I'm closer, it’s all of you. Have any of you eaten? You all look sickly.” He said, spitting food.
“Here, you’ll feel better after that.” Bullus said, tossing the apple to Evanglow. He inspected the incredibly dirty apple that had already been bitten out of, before throwing it behind himself.
“The parlor soldier is here, you’re on the squad just to boost morale, right? You’re doing a horrible job so far.” Raygal said jokingly.
“I’m here to pick up your slack, that’s what Zultor told me in the briefing.” Bullus responded.
“No it’s not.”
“Yes it is, he said ‘do more where the skinny kid falls short’” Bullus said in a terrible Zultor impression as they went on. Geoffren religiously checked the time on his pocket watch as they spoke. Their last group member was 12 minutes late, he would give him 3 more minutes, if he didnt show up, he would declare him AWOL and they would leave without him. He eagerly counted each second as he stared at the camp hoping no distant figure would begin walking towards them. The clock’s faint ticks were a symphony to his ears, each one being a perfectly executed note bringing him closer to joy. Every one of them had more meaning to him than anyone could process. Though with that joy came an antsiness of waiting for it to be over. He was happy when each second passed, but afraid for the next. With 22 seconds left he still didn’t feel fully safe, he had to wait till the very last one. As it winded down and 2 were left, he comfortably smiled and began to tuck his watch away, but at the last second, a distant figure made its way towards them. The smile on his face fled with the safe feelings of before, he knew who it was. The ticks bled into overtime as Geoffren had overstayed his welcome, time seemingly waiting for this man to unite with them. The clock now became his enemy, it counted the steps the man took till he arrived.
“There’s our Jonah!” Bullus said. Ebnus Benwikere walked past them all as they silently watched him. In his stride, he looked at Geoffren, stiffening his entire body. Geoffren anticipated some kind of attack but was surprised it never came. Ebnus passed him by without a word and walked into the dark woods. The others followed behind him in silence, Geoffren worrying for the next few days to come.
CHAPTER 8
END