Chapter13

"What did this man do wrong?!" Krynn shouted angrily, looking about at the rest of the soldiers. The men murmured, but none seemed to have an answer. "Bertram?" The new recruit merely shook his head. "Sheridan! What did he do wrong?!" Sheridan was one of the veteran soldiers in his army.

"He hesitated, sir?" Sheridan replied.

"Wrong!" Krynn shouted. He turned to look down on Pyros again. "He thought!" Krynn glared at his men from under his helm. "You are soldiers!! You are paid to kill! Not to think! You think, you hesitate... you hesitate, you die!" Krynn paused to let this bit of wisdom sink in. "You are trained killers! Not scholars! You are not commanders, you are not battle leaders, you are not warlords! You are soldiers! Leave the thinking to me, to Britt, and to your battle leads..." Krynn looked up to see his king standing with Koris in a window above. "And of course to our most glorious Lord British." He nodded towards his king who raised a hand in recognition. "Now... return to your sparring..." he shoved his sword into its scabbard. "I don't want to see anyone out here thinking! I want to see warriors killing!"

Krynn reached his hand down to help the still kneeling Pyros to his feet. "Good job, boy... next time you see an opening, you go for it. There are no penalties out here on this field for the death of a sparring partner. Even if he is your Captain..." Krynn smiled at his soldier as Pyros nodded in acknowledgement. "Go on... go spar." Krynn removed his helmet and handed it to Britt. "Are these men ready, Britt? I mean, really ready for war...?"

"Aye, milord... I am sure of it. With you as their Commander, I believe they'll be afraid to lose..." Britt grinned broadly at his Captain. Krynn laughed for the first time in days...

�

"He certainly seems to be in high spirits, milord..." Koris nodded towards the Captain of the Guard in the courtyard below.

"Yes.... heheh... ironic isn't it?" British sipped at his wine. "Laughing and carrying on... on the eve of his demise. It's almost saddening, isn't it?"

"Milord... you seem hardly taken aback by the fact that tomorrow, your men will be without a gallant leader. And so close to an eminent war. Is that wise?" Koris looked plainly at his king.

"Oh, it is most wise, old friend... His death shall bring about victory for the Britannian Empire. I will not lose to Minax. I mustn't." The two men watched on as the soldiers below sparred, jabbing and thrusting, swinging about like madmen. "See? Even now, under his disapproval, they fight even more fierce than they had yesterday. He is a good Captain to them. He has taught them well, and more importantly gained their respect and love. And that respect and love will turn to pure hatred for our enemy. And thus... victory..." British smiled and was about to go on, but was interrupted by one of his staff.

"Milord... there is a man requesting an audience with you downstairs in the throne room..." The young girl bowed before her king.

"I thought I told you, Meeki... I was not to be disturbed nor was I seeing anyone today. Now run along..." British waved his hand indignantly at her.

"But, my liege... he says you were expecting him..." Meeki awaited his answer.

�Ahhh, yes� that�s right. I was expecting someone to stop by�� British glanced at Koris and smiled. �Very well� go to our guest and tell him I will be along presently�� Meeki bowed again gracefully and made her way back to the throne room.

After she had gone, British turned to his advisor. �Excuse me, Koris� if that is who I believe it to be, he and I have some� business to discuss about tomorrow.�

Koris nodded knowingly. �Very well, milord� if you should have further need of me, I�ll be in Magincia at the Parliament house. I will make one last attempt at reasoning with the Mages.�

�Oh, you shall be very well needed soon enough, m�boy� don�t you worry about that at all.� And with that, Koris recalled away.

�Now�� British said to himself, downing the rest of his wine in a single gulp. �To meet with my assassin��

�