242 Just Following Orders (1/2)
”Gen. Toms, are you sure?”
”Yes, I'm sure, you two assistants will pass the orders onto the officials, who will then pass them on to the captains. After that, enjoy a good meal and get a good night's sleep. There's no telling when the next time you'll be able to enjoy that,” stated General Toms.
”Sir, yes sir!” Both men saluted and left the general's tent in a rush.
One assistant looked to the other and smiled. ”Dirk, we're finally getting out of this place.”
”Yeah, but Loire, are you really looking forward to the massacre waiting for us?” asked Dirk.
Assistant Loire's footsteps came to a halt as he smirked at Assistant Dirk. ”This is what we signed up for. This is why we became assistants to the general. If you're not wanting war, then why did you take the position? That doesn't make sense.”
”Maybe I just wanted to pay raise and a way to make sure that my family got what they needed.” Assistant Dirk continued to walk on without a care for Assistant Loire. ”If you don't hurry then you'll be late for our meeting with the officials.”
With a chuckle, Assistant Loire caught up to Assistant Dirk and rambled on about the excitement that was waiting for them on the battlefield-to-be.
After a few minutes, they entered a tent which had a number of other soldiers coming in and out. But then the other soldiers took a seat at a large table and gave their attention to the two assistants.
”Men, we're finally leaving this mountain pass and we'll soon go on a rampage in Trodar. Tomorrow night we head out, so make sure to tell the captains and to inform the Sandros soldiers as well. Also, enjoy yourselves while you still can. Unless you're confident you'll survive the onslaught, get your fill now.” Assistant Loire was the one to give the order while Assistant Dirk looked on and paid attention to the different faces and reactions of the officials.
While some officials were excited, others seemed nervous and a few had a look of terror or regret. But none of them spoke up as they knew the assistants and the general were unforgiving to anyone who dared rebel or disobey orders.
”You're dismissed. Now go inform the others,” stated Assistant Dirk with a nod.
The officials promptly saluted and exited the tent, leaving the two assistants to bicker or laugh amongst each other.
One of those officials made his way toward the cafeteria once he was out of sight of the others. He easily weaved through through the foot traffic of the camp and entered one of the largest tense they had, filled to the brim with soldiers enjoying an evening meal.
The officials scanned his surroundings, as if looking for something that wasn't there or something that seemed out of place. Eventually he got some food and sat himself sitting at a distant table in the far corner, the one nearest to the kitchen storage and not the exit.
Like always time passed as more and more soldiers found themselves leaving the cafeteria, but the official did not. He had been slowly consuming his meal, almost meticulously. His head stayed down for the most part while he only inspected the area on occasion throughout his meal.
”Official Harolt, how's the meal been?”
Suddenly filled with energy and alertness the official shot to his feet and saluted. ”Assistant Loire, the meal's been good.”
”Hmmm… I see. How did the captains take the news?” asked the assistant.
”Sir, I've yet to give the report. I myself felt a bit distressed about it and took the liberty to grab a meal to calm myself and allow me to better deliver the news,” replied Official Harolt.