A Warrior's Redemption

  Chapter Twenty

  Last Stand

  Two days later, the Shrine of Remembrance on the shores of the northern sea.

  I watched the banners grow closer over the plain of rich green grass. They had done just as Sebastian had theorized that they would, if first met with a significant reduction in force. They had bypassed our cities, towns and castles to come straight here to the Shrine.

  Thank God! Little did the approaching army know that every city and castle would have fallen easily before them, because every available warrior capable of fighting had been gathered upon this plain for the engagement to come. If General Nadero had been successful in his assignment, then we stood a chance in the battle to come. That is if we could hold out until he arrived.

  There were a few other critical factors that had to go just right too, but so far everything had, so there was still reason to hope. General Sanjo came up beside me as I stood looking out over the earthwork defenses at the enemy amassing on the plain before us.

  “There sure are a lot of them, aren’t there? General, do you think that they will mount an attack on us given that it’s already early afternoon?”

  General Sanjo stared at the congregating enemy force beyond the earthwork fortifications, “We will be dealing with their more experienced commanders now. They’ll want to see what we’re made of, and they have the time and men to spare to find out. I think they’ll attack at twilight. There will be a sudden heavy press and then a withdrawal, followed by light skirmishes throughout the night meant to keep us awake until the main assault occurs in the morning. That is, if we survive the first heavy press at twilight.”

  I nodded, “You had best tell the men to get what rest they can then.”

  General Sanjo turned to go, “General, there’s one other thing.”

  General Sanjo turned back to me expectantly. “I’m sorry for the men and women we lost in the city. I know that you trained most of them and knew many of them personally. The city had to be fired when it was or our position would have been overrun. Their sacrifice paved the way to a great victory, but I know that must be shallow comfort to you and their families. I wish there could have been a better way and I’m sorry that there wasn’t.”

  The General looked back at the approaching banners of the enemy, “They knew what they were doing. They died for their nation as proud warriors should in the heat of battle.”

  “Still General, I’m sorry for your loss and I assure you that your loss is mine also.”

  His eyes flicked from the enemy banners back to me, “Roric, can I share something with you?”

  “Always General. I value your wisdom.”

  “Something I have learned during all my years of leading men into dangerous situations is the peril of getting too attached to the warriors you command. Every loss of life of those under your command can become a source of personal angst, which eats away at sound reasoning and the will to act as needed. Seeking to avoid the pain of additional loss can lead one to make a choice in battle that is the wrong choice, just to avoid more personal pain for yourself and the families of those you command. You made the right choice at Kingdom Pass, Roric, do not allow yourself to regret it.”

  He started away, but my words stopped him briefly, “Tell me General, have you ever managed to achieve such a disconnection between your emotions and the fate your warriors face?”

  General Sanjo didn’t look back around as he answered, “No, but I keep trying. If I didn’t keep trying, I wouldn’t be of any use to anyone.”

  He continued on his way and I returned my gaze to the enemy that had drawn steadily closer across the plain. I wished that this day and responsibility had never come to me. Wishing had never gotten anyone very far in accomplishing something meaningful though.

  Someone always had to do the hard work and make the sacrifice needed to affect any lasting change for good in the world. The only question I had was, why did I have to be the one involved in the sacrifice?