(no subject)
[Day 16, 11:00]
The caravan is finally ready to leave. Every soldier not essential to the task of defending and rebuilding Khrennikov has been assembled to guard the prisoners and the wounded. I have reports, the lists of the fallen and their personal belongings which will be handed over to Alarik or his heir. Even with von-Khrennikov-san's assistance, it has taken most of the night.
The grim task of burying the dead lies ahead and I already doubt that I will sleep tonight. It does not matter, I can get by without sleep until this duty is done.
The lieutenant in charge of the caravan salutes me and I manage not to scowl or laugh at the crispness of the salute. It appears that this man at least has decided that a Shinou is a Shinou is a Shinou, irrespective of his origins. The urge to laugh dies at the thought that this too is likely to become a problem.
::Lieutenant.:: I nod to him and look at the gathered troops. ::I will not pretend that you need my orders to understand what you are doing and how important it is. The wounded are assured of your attention, I know, but I would ask that all the prisoners reach the castle alive, to face the Maou's judgement.::
The lieutenant's expression hardens and he salutes again. "It shall be as Shinou-heika commands."
I nod approval. ::You are assured of good weather for the next two days, lieutenant.:: My final contribution to this particular obligation. ::Use them well.::
He holds the salute, eyes forward and stance rigid.. "Yessir!"
I turn away, waving off the pack of soldiers who move to follow. I have a little time before the burying will begin and I mean to make use of it. Nacht breaks into a trot as we swing off the road and through the trees.
The caravan is finally ready to leave. Every soldier not essential to the task of defending and rebuilding Khrennikov has been assembled to guard the prisoners and the wounded. I have reports, the lists of the fallen and their personal belongings which will be handed over to Alarik or his heir. Even with von-Khrennikov-san's assistance, it has taken most of the night.
The grim task of burying the dead lies ahead and I already doubt that I will sleep tonight. It does not matter, I can get by without sleep until this duty is done.
The lieutenant in charge of the caravan salutes me and I manage not to scowl or laugh at the crispness of the salute. It appears that this man at least has decided that a Shinou is a Shinou is a Shinou, irrespective of his origins. The urge to laugh dies at the thought that this too is likely to become a problem.
::Lieutenant.:: I nod to him and look at the gathered troops. ::I will not pretend that you need my orders to understand what you are doing and how important it is. The wounded are assured of your attention, I know, but I would ask that all the prisoners reach the castle alive, to face the Maou's judgement.::
The lieutenant's expression hardens and he salutes again. "It shall be as Shinou-heika commands."
I nod approval. ::You are assured of good weather for the next two days, lieutenant.:: My final contribution to this particular obligation. ::Use them well.::
He holds the salute, eyes forward and stance rigid.. "Yessir!"
I turn away, waving off the pack of soldiers who move to follow. I have a little time before the burying will begin and I mean to make use of it. Nacht breaks into a trot as we swing off the road and through the trees.