-----
Iridian watched the army from a small mound on the outskirts of the camp. They’d waged war against the enemy for generations, and would continue to do so till the war was finished, but for now, a brief and precious quiet lull had settled; one that would too soon be stolen again. He could hear the army prepping their weapons, snippets of discussions flow across the plain to him, but for the general part, there was no conflict or fighting to be heard.
For several thousand years the war had waged, with either side gaining the upper hand at times, at other times, the other seemed to be the victor. But in a war of this scale, only one could and would win, and that was a way off for Iridian and the army.
In a war this great and all-consuming, warriors from all over, regardless of race, gender or status, stood up to fight the battle that had to be fought. That was how Iridian, from such a meagre background as an orphan on the street, came to serve in the army.
Today, Iridian watched the camp, confused and muddled. He had been a random and violent youth from the street when Colonel Arrowlight had brought him out of his dismal circumstances, gave him a home, a purpose and people to serve, and a life he had not previously even dreamed of.
Iridian had met several of the leaders who served under Colonel Arrowlight over the short time he had served alongside them, and he admired them greatly. They had taught him, teaching him new meanings to old problems, mentored and guided him. He thought he would follow them till the end.
Then Iridian had been brought into the fold to serve under Colonel Arrowlight’s mentor, Major General Tristran. He was the man who had taught Colonel Arrowlight himself, and Iridian’s awe and wonder just deepened. Colonel Arrowlight had made such and impact on Iridian’s life that it was no surprise that serving under Major General Tristran left Iridian breathless and awe-filled for the first few months.
But in a few short weeks, that would change. The army that flew under this banner, the silver banner of the soaring eagle, was going to split.
Colonel Arrowlight was leaving with a small contingent of lieutenants, captains and majors to fight the war on another front. But Major General Tristran was staying to fight the battle here… but they would forever be separated now.
Colonel Arrowlight was going to fight under a new banner.
And Iridian was confused. Following just his heart, he would follow Colonel Arrowlight to the ends of the earth for the simple fact that the Colonel had been the one to introduce him to the army and help him grow… but the Major General had also taught him, and at that time, he too, had been such an inspiration to Iridian.
So Iridian had done what he needed to do to think and reflect – he left the situation, sought peace and assurance from his god, and considered what to do.
“Oi, Ire! What the heck are you doing over there?”
Iridian looked up. Lieutenant Ulysses was walking towards him, his sniper rifle in hand. The lieutenant was a leader in the sniper squad, and played more of a support role to the main body in the army. He was also the one who had taken Iridian under his wing to grow him more as he served more in the army.
“Hi lieutenant; I just came out here to think. After the announcement the Major General made, I was a little unsure of what to do…” Iridian was saying, as the lieutenant walked up to him, lay his sniper rifle on the ground, and smacked Iridian on the side of the head. “Ow! Wh-what was that for?” Iridian stuttered in surprise.
The lieutenant looked irritated. “…How many times do I have to tell you? I have a name. And you’re too formal; stop always regarding me by rank! Unless you got a direct command to always regard me by rank, just call me Ulysses. Got it?” the lieutenant demanded.
“…Erm… yes lieu…” Iridian started, when he caught the look in the lieutenant’s eye. “…I mean, yes Ulysses…”
“Much better. Now then, you’re concerned about how the Colonel is leaving the army to start another, is that it?” the lieutenant settled down besides him.
“…Well, yes. I mean, I always thought that the Colonel and the Major General would be working together till… well, forever…” Iridian was a little embarrassed.
The lieutenant laughed. “Yes, I think we all did. But the Colonel’s leaving the banner of the silver eagle for a good number of reasons. Besides, he’s made his peace with God, and he’s convinced this is the right path to take.”
Iridian looked up, confused. “But, it’s like they’re splitting! Was there some sort of politics involved in this?”
The lieutenant gave him a withering look of irritancy. “…No, but if you keep talking like there was, you’re going to spread rumours. I’m going to have to hit you again if you keep talking like that. It was simply a good time for the colonel and those leaders to move on. Nothing more to it.”
“…Well… whatever happens, I dunno what to do. I mean, I really want to follow the Colonel…” Iridian trailed off, looking at lieutenant Ulysses.
The lieutenant was silent for a few moments, all the time watching Iridian, as if sizing him up. Just when Iridian started to open his mouth to speak again, the lieutenant sighed, lying against the mound, and then spoke.
“…Iridian, you know that I’ve followed after the Colonel ever since he got that rank, right? He returned from the army training overseas, and served anew under the Major General. But, he’s leaving our banner now for other things… and I’m not following. Doesn’t that make you wonder as to why? Wouldn’t I, more than you, wish to follow him more ardently?”
“Well yes, I guess so.” Iridian said.
“That’s right, and I do. But I’ve got a job to do here, under this banner. Besides, I may yet join them, at a time when it is right. But right now, it isn’t. My heart and my emotions say it is, but guess what? My spirit and my common sense tells me that it isn’t. So I won’t. You need to find the same sort of assurance in your heart,” the lieutenant spoke softly, as if talking to the wind.
“But why leave? And why now?” Iridian started, still confused.
“Does it matter? Not to me, and I guess that means it shouldn’t matter to you either. Seek vision and peace from your God. All those leaders, all those warriors, all men and women who I respect and cherish, have sought their hearts, spirits and souls for many months to see if they should walk this path, to start this venture. It would be a dishonour to such preparation if each other person who wished to follow them did not do the same.
“Besides, remember well that both parties will fight the same enemy and serve the same General, at the head of our infrastructure, and that this certainly hasn’t escaped the notice of those higher up. Do you think that this would be authorised by them, and by the Major General, if it wasn’t the right thing to do?
“And I know for a fact that the Major General and the Colonel are still good friends, and will remain so probably until the end of time. It would be a petty thing to have a hardened heart when it will bring growth to both groups. But they’ve got their work cut out for them, just as we have.
“After all, starting and leading an army with such a small group… whilst the army of our banner was started by the Major General with only half the Colonel’s starting number, it is no small feat. They have a great battle ahead of them, and the best you can do for now is to give our all on this front, and pray for them in the quiet resting places.
“And I intend to do my part,” the lieutenant pushed himself up from the ground, picked up his sniper rifle, and turned to look at Iridian. “You gonna keep moping here till the enemy attacks again, Ire? Or will you make a choice?” he offered his hand to help Iridian up.
Iridian looked at the man who had mentored him, and helped him through several hard spots in his life. He was not a gentle man, but he was a good leader to his men. It sometimes saddened Iridian that he had never signed up for the sniper team. Iridian sighed, grabbed his assault rifle, and took the hand that was offered him… and the answer that came with it.
“I will fight. Wherever my god places me, I will fight. If I must move, I will move only with his blessing, and not without it. Today, I will serve under the banner of the silver eagle; perhaps tomorrow I will… ow!” Iridian cut off as the lieutenant smacked him on the back of the head as they were walking back to camp.
“…You talk too much when you can say much less and mean the same thing; how many times do I have to remind you of that? Really, Ire, you’re making me grow old,” the lieutenant said, sighing.
“…Sorry lieutenant… ow!”
“It’s Ulysses.”
