9 Departed (2/2)

Before I get on the cart he wraps me in a bear hug and says.

”I know no one on that battlefield can take you on, but please be careful. Don't take follow your commander's orders blindly, you have more intelligence than all of them put together and don't trust anyone.....”

He seems to want to say more but doesn't. I open my mouth to ask him what it was, but he pats me on the back and shoves me towards the cart.

As the cart takes me away I wave goodbye to the only true friends I've ever had. The only father I've ever had, the only family. I wave to them as they yell their goodbyes and well wishes, I don't bother stopping the tears that roll down my cheek, I burn their smiling faces into my mind as we grow further apart promising to never die, for their sake.

A few hours into the trip the farmer looks to me and says.

”I see you're caring a mandola, I assume you're able to play it?” He asks casually

”Sure, I can play,” I respond

He looks to me slightly lifting his eyebrow. ”How about you play something to pass the time, it's going to be a long and boring trip otherwise.”

I nod, then tune my mandola until I'm satisfied. I think of a song to play, then settle on an Order song that a knight made during the First Demon Crusade.

I play the first few chords, then allow my voice to be carried by the wind across the passing wheatfields.

They took all our land

They took my leg and hand

Yet today we still do fight

Holding on with all our might

god have you forsaken us?

When in you lies all our trust

This seed we do sow

Is for our child to know

It is for them we fight

So tonight give your lives

The farmer gives a solemn nod.

”Tis a good song, one that reminds me of the land I farm and the privilege it is, thank you for that. You've got a good voice there, how about something more upbeat?”

I just smile and start playing, the time drifts away with the notes I play and we soon arrive at the supply post. It's a small structure with walls in all four directions and four towers on each corner and a large building in the middle with warehouses lining the wall. ”As soon as I get inside I'll take a bath, then when I wake up I'll go and meet the squad I am to command,” I think.