CHAPTER 90: MISSION BRIEF

Charon and the others stood in a line, listening to a grizzled officer announce their mission details. They were standing outside the wall in a field, with nothing else being around them, save some grass and budding flowers.

A brisk wind blew through them, their robes billowing out behind them. The Wardens’ chains clanged lightly, creating a soft ringing.

’This isn’t where I would have chosen to have a mission debrief.’

"You were all scouts, except these two new lieutenants. Fast and creative, that’s what a scout is! That should make this assignment easy as pie."

He paused as his bushy eyebrows rose, his lips pressed into a disapproving frown.

"If the pie were poisoned, armed with a thousand laser rifles, and a mean streak as ugly as your mothers combined! This task is no easy one, gentlemen, and of that I am certain! Why on the gods’ green river did the High Elders assign this to you, I have no idea."

He raised his foot and slammed it down, similar to a child.

"I have such little idea why this occurred, that I brought it to my superior! He had such little idea, that he brought it to his! My commanding officer’s commanding officer didn’t give a dragon’s shit, and so neither shall I!"

With robotic movements, he raised his white gloved hand, slipped it between the placket of his jacket, and withdrew a yellow envelope. He then hesitated, holding the item aloft as his gaze snapped between Charon and Emerius.

Seemingly reaching a decision, he clicked his heels together and barked.

"You are both equal in rank! Given that I am not willing, nor able, to break the rules of this here army, and selecting one of you to be superior would be doing so by breaking my ranks authority, I am going to hold this letter until one of you decides your balls shine like brass, and are therefore willing to break rank!"

The two glanced at each other, neither sure who should move, before Charon decided it was better that he took it.

’Emerius is too used to following protocol. Meanwhile, I couldn’t care less. All that matters is that things get done.’

Relieved that the dire problem was solved, the officer raised his hand to his head and saluted Charon.

"Inside you will find further instructions regarding your assignment! I was informed that it shall be dangerous, and that it shall be costly! Not all of you are expected to return alive! It is imperative that this mission is undertaken with the utmost secrecy!"

With similarly robotic movements, he lowered his hand, turned it at a thirty-degree angle behind his back, and jerked out a small leather-bound book.

"This was part of the mission! You will find charts, supply locations, and important information inside this booklet! It is recommended you follow it to the letter, however, all good soldiers know orders do not survive contact with the enemy! Therefore, make shit up the moment lasers begin to fly!"

He extended it towards Charon, who took it before the man stepped back and saluted once more.

Feeling awkward with the silence, Charon mumbled a response, hoping to be able to focus on the task at hand.

"Thanks for the book."

The officer’s eyes grew to the size of dinner plates before he barked back.

"Booklet! It is imperative that all details be properly maintained in times of peace! This is strictly enforced by tenants of the officers’ handbook!"

Raising a single eyebrow, Charon nodded once, feeling all too happy when the officer promptly turned and began to march back towards the entrance of the wall. Every leg raised to ninety degrees before falling, as if he were a toy soldier freshly wound up.

’Jeez, are officers like that back home?’

Darius shook his head.

"I have heard rumors about that officer, and yet I still find them lacking. I never imagined the Fort would produce someone so adherent to the doctrine. I would not be surprised to learn his alarm was the national anthem."

Charon flashed him a side eye.

"You have a national anthem?"

Darius frowned, his eyebrows knitting.

"Of course, every nation does. It is a sign of pride. I dream of one day hearing it sung over the Clayton capital."

Unable to hide a smirk, Charon looked down at the sealed letter. Removing his knife from the chains crossing his chest, he inserted it into the gap at the top and sawed along the line. Sheathing his blade, he then withdrew the folded paper inside and read it aloud.

"This mission is for the eyes of the listed members only. Anyone else who obtains this document should turn it into the nearest official as soon as possible. The listed members are as follows: Charon the Death Mage, Emerius the Death Mage, Darius the Light Mage, Annie the Light Mage, Liam the Blood Mage, Red the Mind Mage."

’Is that how they differentiate first names? Their element? What if there was another Liam who was a blood mage? Are last names not a thing here?’

In the living realms, last names were very common, except for orphans. They had to earn those, usually through a noble decree. It made it easy to tell who was born an orphan and who wasn’t, while at the same time, an orphan with a last name was easily identifiable as a rising star.

"Your objective will take you into Clayton lands, specifically the town of Ebonclay, formerly known as Ebonel."

Annie interjected.

"I know where that is, it’s near the border of our territory. The Claytons took it very early on and have shored up defences quite a bit. It was a huge defeat for us."

Ignoring her interruption, Charon continued, hoping to get to the bulk of the mission.

"You are to approach the time and reveal yourselves as merchants from the Eastern cities. To accomplish this, you will gather supplies at a marked cache in the provided booklet. There are also details relating to how to pass as an Eastern trader inside. Once you have gained entry, you are to detail all you can find within the town."

He stopped reading to allow the information to sink in, his jaw dropping slightly at how much faith the High Elders had in them.

’Us? Spies? I don’t think any of us has any experience in this! What is the point? This feels like a useless waste of our talents! We should be in a more direct fighting force, applying our elements properly!’

The wave of frowns he saw on everyone’s face confirmed it, especially Liam, who looked to be fighting back an angry tirade.

Inhaling, Charon continued, hoping it would get better.

"After proper documentation has been made, you have a simple objective: Cause chaos. The town should become little more than a nest of fear, should you succeed, with destruction and uncertainty rampant. This should be made easier by many of the details listed in the booklet."

He had to grit his teeth to finish the letter out, every word harder to utter than the last.

"Of final note is that there should be no attempts to contact the Fort, or anyone related to the Fort, during the duration of the mission. After a months time, you will be permitted entry back into the nation. You will then be assessed based on results."

Charon fought the urge to crumple the sheet up and throw it to the wind.

’This doesn’t make any sense! Why are the High Elders doing this?’

Darius clicked his tongue and shook his head.

"This is very unfortunate. I can not imagine why they would elect such an assignment for our group. I could understand some of us, but you, Charon, and Liam, have little application on this front. Annie as well. It is simply nonsensical."

Emerius nodded his agreement as he gripped the pommels of his swords.

"Is there a method to appeal? The officer seemed to believe our odds of survival were slim. Is this something we should try and get out of?"

Darius glanced away, the answer clear before he even spoke.

"No. All military assignments are final. The only vote in the nation is that of the High Elders. It is our duty to listen and deliver. It may be difficult, but it is what is expected of us."