[Ancient ch`Rihan, several hundred miles south of the downed MV]
"And yet again, your men fall short of what au promise!"
"Field commander-- please! Au ask too much"
"And au offer to little"
"I offer"
"Jeiai? Are au"
"Commander?!"
"Silence!"
--CRACK--
"Jeiai?"
"My forces are ready."
Stepping over his former superior's body, Ishikara Jeiai takes his
orders from the field commander. She holsters her side arm gruffly and
places her hand on his head as a sign of respect. Bowing respectfully, but
keeping his eyes off the still shaking body of Comodus, the general
takes his leave.
Many strange things had transpired in the passing weeks. The strangers'
arrival in their camp, Her quick ascention of the ranks, mysterious
deaths that the best of the Jorani, masters of observation, could not
keep track of, and the strange laughing monk who watched them where ever
they were sent. t`Rihu was indeed a strange 'event'.
"Our orders?"
"You ask?"
"I must."
Jeiai sighs and hands his centurion the short scroll.
"A bit short."
"Ie. A bit. But they will suffice I suspect."
"A bit confident... the scouts have not reported back yet."
"They will."
The General understood his man's hesitation and concern. They shared
much the same. The clan Jorani was not of this 'up in front in broad day
light' style of engagement. They were observers-- masters of
manipulation before the battle begun. t`Rihu seemed more apt to lead the
Zorek... but the Jorani did she lead.
All three houses
Jeiai...
Jarok...
Jaihen...
All three lotted with her in the war. And to date she had done them well
enough. The Zorek had been quelled, and the Khelliana's houses Khaell
and Khazank too had fallen before her. In a strange way, the warrior had
brought the quickest rein of peace to the land, since the incident of
the homeland, half a malennia before.
"Master"
A darkly clad student kneeled before them
"Report."
"The Commander-General was correct. House Khev is to the west, and
preparing an attack on our land."
"Her last orders?"
"Carried out."
"Good. The pride of Clan Jorani, and this satchel be your rewards."
The young woman, still crouched in respect, accepted the bag of jewels.
"Now go. Rest. Your time will come again all to soon."
"By your command."
And she was gone.
"The commander-General has the devil's sight indeed. How-- how can she
know all of this?" Jeiai's centurion kicked and the dusty ground.
"I do na-know centurion. Perhaps we shall not know."
"Aye..."
"Not now anyway. Take my leave. Our duty is again at call. Follow the
Commander-General's orders to the letter."
"And should they be wrong this time?"
"Then you will be dead, and so shall she."
"By your command."
Jeiai nodded slowly, and looked off into the Ever east-- towards home of his people. Odd events indeed...
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