Chapter 72: General’s Orders
Vos was in the lower deck playing cards with a few of the other soldiers while the rest took a nap, when a loud clanking sound echoed through the interior.
"What in the-?" Etil said as he looked up. Vos and the group headed up to the main deck to see what was going on, their swords at the ready.
There they found that the ship crew was beginning to wind up the anchor. Vos approached and pointed his sword at them, his head tilted upwards, "What do you think you’re doing?" He hissed.
They immediately held their hands up in surrender, allowing the anchor to fall back to the ocean floor.
"W-We’re just following orders from our Captain and the General."
Vos scoffed, "And where is your Captain?"
One of them pointed towards the sails as their Captain oversaw that crew unfurling them.
Vos nodded towards the ones who were winching the anchor, leaving the soldiers to remain watching them with their swords pointed menacingly.
Etil and Vos headed over to the Captain to investigate.
"What are you doing?! The General has yet to return!" Etil shouted as he shoved the captain.
Vos pulled him back and got in front of him, "Do you think your crew can handle an army? Answer."
The Captain held his hands behind his back and smiled, "General told me that we were to leave before nightfall. The moon is already high in the sky. It’s not my fault he is late to his own operation."
"You-!" Etil yelled as he lunged forward.
Meanwhile, back on shore, Marix stood behind the wall cursing.
"Damnit. We need to get back to the ship, now."
His eyes darted around, searching for a way to get around the Solan soldiers.
Prav approached and knelt beside him as he peeked out. "Might we head back and go around so that we follow after them. That way we won’t be seen?" He whispered while looking up at Marix for approval.
Marix shook his head. "It’s a good idea in theory but regardless, we’ll have to pass by the church to get to the docks. That’s right where they’ve set up."
Eilownia grabbed onto Marix’s arm and looked up at him with her eyebrows knitted, chewing on her bottom lip.
"What will happen if we get caught?" She asked in a hushed whisper.
Marix thought for a moment, then turned to the group.
"Our priority is to get to the docks and board the ship. If we get caught and are forced to engage in battle, try to parry them off to make your escape back to the ship. Our goal Is not to strike anyone down but to depart Vasis. Got it?"
"Yes sir." They nodded quietly in agreement.
"First, Prav," Marix turned to him, "I want you to get Eilownia back to the ship safely. You two go first. The rest of us will wait. You should have better chances at squeaking by."
Without hesitation, Prav lifted Eilownia up into his arms.
She let out a sharp gasp as she instinctively threw her arms around his neck to hold on.
"P-Prav!" She yelped, her eyebrows raised and eyes wide.
"I’ve got it, Sir! I promise Miss Eilownia will return to the ship safe and sound!"
Marix nodded and Prav headed off down the streets of Vasis.
"Prav, I can walk on my own. You don’t have to carry me." Eilownia whispered, feeling somewhat guilty.
"Shh. I’m using you as part of our cover up. Just follow my lead. Rest your head against me, trust me." He whispered quietly.
Eilownia hesitated for a moment but then rested her head against his shoulder as he said.
As they got to the church, two Solian soldiers stopped them.
"Excuse me sir, we are requesting that any able bodied men sign up to help aid us against the Viraaz army."
Prav smiled, "No thanks. I’m not interested."
He went to walk forward but they laughed and stopped him, walking in front of him so he couldn’t continue on.
"Oh, we’re sorry. When we said ’request’ it’s not really a request. We just say that for formalities. It IS a requirement."
Prav glared at them and then smirked, "I’m not a Vasis native, so no, it isn’t a requirement. I’m busy making sure my wife gets home in time to birth our child. Can’t you tell she is unwell?"
Eilownia covered her mouth and let out a pitiful cough.
"You think no one else here has families?! Do you think that makes you exempt?!" One of them yelled.
Citizens who were passing by stopped to stare at the commotion.
"Stop. Let them go. It’s not worth it," The other said, grabbing onto his shoulder, "What will people say if word spreads that we are unjustly forcing people into our military? Especially someone who is carrying his sick, pregnant wife?" He whispered into his ear.
The soldier that had yelled smiled and held his arm out in the direction Prav was headed, "My apologies. Please. Be on your way. Have a safe trip and may your birth go smoothly."
Prav nodded his head in thanks and continued, hoisting Eilownia up a little more.
"Good acting," He whispered as they had walked a little bit aways.
"Thanks, that was a good story you came up with." Eilownia said quietly with a giggle.
He carried her to the ship and once onboard, he set her down.
The top deck was empty with not a soul in sight. Prav furrowed his eyebrows. The ship crew should’ve been on deck at the very least.
"Wait here." He told Eilownia as he drew his sword and slowly descended into the lower deck.
There, he saw the Viraaz troops had tied up the ship crew and were pointing their swords at them.
Prav let out a sigh of relief as he slid his sword back into its scabbard.
"What is going on here?"
Vos turned around and nodded towards the crew, "They wanted to leave without General Marix and the rest of you."
"General Marix told us that we would leave before nightfall. We were just stickin’ to his orders!" The Captain protested as he squirmed against their restraints.
The rest of the crew also protested and squirmed, causing the decibel level to rise.
"Shh! Shh!" Prav said, pressing his hands down to try and get them to quiet down.
Eilownia, hearing the commotion from above deck, descended into the lower deck to investigate.
"QUIET!" She yelled, startling everyone who quickly quieted down.
"Untie them, NOW!" She said, staring at Vos.
Vos hesitated a moment and then nodded at the other Viraaz soldiers, who reluctantly began to untie the ship crew.
"Solan soldiers are on shore and they’re forcing Vasis natives to join their army. We have to wait for Marix and the rest of our allies before we depart."
"Well, Miss," The captain said with a condescending tone, "my crew is under direct orders from General Marix to leave by nightfall and we are already behind schedule."
The Viraaz troops went to say something but Eilownia stopped them.
She stood tall and stared, "I am an extension of Marix and I am giving you new orders to wait as things we didn’t expect happened."
Back on shore, Marix stood there thinking as he rubbed his chin.
There was no other way past them other than to just walk by.
He huffed and turned to his group, "Okay, we really have no choice. I want you to hold up your supplies to obscure your faces. Hopefully that will signal to them that we are foreigners who came to stock up and they won’t bother us. Remember, our goal is to get back to the ship. Whatever you have to do to escape, do it. Don’t cut anyone down."
"Yes sir!"
Hey hoisted up their items on their shoulders, obscuring their faces like he had instructed and followed after him down the street.
Their hearts pounded loudly in their ears as they approached the church. The soldiers were busy signing up a few men and the Viraaz soldiers found themselves relaxing and thanking the beings above for the distraction.
When suddenly, one of the soldiers called out to them.
"Excuse me! Fine gentlemen! We request that yo-"
Marix waved his hand and continued walking, "We’re just foreigners passing through."
One of the Solan soldiers walked in front of him and held his arms up to stop him, when his eyes widened in shock.
"I-It’s the Viraaz General!" He screamed in horror.
The soldiers quickly jumped up and ran over, pulling out their swords.
The Viraaz soldiers dropped their supplies and drew their weapons.
Marix stared them down, "We are just passing through. We don’t want any trouble. As I said, we are just foreigners stocking up."
"Y-You! I know who you are do you think I’m a fool! This is our chance! Let’s cut the snake at it’s head!" The Solan soldier yelled as he lunged at Marix.
