by Dane Bagley
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An hour before light, Aiden’s troops were ready to go. Not a man, except Jashion, understood this. Aiden always left before dawn. Perhaps the sunrise game him strength. It was not long before Jashion was sent to quiet the grumblings. These men were soft. They had never done anything other than drills. A real march, in the real heat, with real blisters and thirst, was not what they’d ever expected. Jashion returned to Aiden’s side.
“I’d take Terrence, Daxton, and Marcus over this lot, I would,” said Jashion.
“We’ve only gone a mile,” said Aiden. Up to this point they had followed the easy road towards Agedon. Aiden began to move east off the road and into the wilderness.
Another Lieutenant, a large burly man of twenty-four, came up to Aiden and spoke out of line.
“This isn’t the way to Agedon, sir. We need to get back on the road.”
Aiden was quiet and kept walking resolutely.
“Sir, did you hear me?”
“Back in line, steady your troops,” said Jashion.
“You don’t outrank me,” he said to Jashion. “Sir, what are you doing? Where are you taking us? I’ll report this and get you fired.”
“Lieutenant, what are you afraid of?” said Aiden.
“Nothing…”
“Good.”
“But…”
“Listen up, before I have you court marshalled. If you want to take the road, it will lead us to Agedon. We’ll arrive to find the town occupied by women, children, and the elderly. I suppose you can show your bravery towards them, while the armies of Agedon enter the dark forest and begin the battle against Dromreign! So, by all means, Lieutenant, should we get back on the highway?” said Aiden.
“What? How’d you know that?”
“We’ve received word. Agedon already marches on Dromreign. If we head as we are, we’ll reach the edge of the dark forest about the time that Agedon does. That is, if you can keep your men moving along.”
Fear shown in the man’s eyes. Aiden marched along. The man fell back. Jashion was pleased.