The Crimson Campaign

It was early afternoon and the mountains were closing in on either side as they traveled into Surkov’s Alley. They’d spent the night in Fendale, a large city of some hundred thousand that was swelled to four times that number with army reserves and the refugees from Budwiel.

What little sleep Taniel had managed in Fendale was restless and plagued with nightmares. He’d read once that the only way to sleep well after forming a mala addiction was with more mala.

Ka-poel removed her hand from his cheek, to his decidedly uncomfortable regret. What would he do with this girl? She seemed to think he belonged to her in some way. He could sleep with her, he supposed, but the thought of it made him feel… conflicted. She was a savage, and his servant. A companion and nothing more. There wasn’t a soul in polite Adran society who wouldn’t think it most improper.

When had he ever cared about what society thought proper, he reminded himself. And a savage? Taniel had seen Ka-poel’s sorcery. She’d saved his life on several occasions. She was anything but “just a savage girl.”

Taniel tried to blink away the fog that permeated his mind, but with little success. Drifting off like that could be dangerous. They would reach the front by tomorrow evening, and from there he’d have to find out if there were any other powder mages left in the army, and news of his father. And of course, he’d have to report to… to who? Taniel had never reported to anyone but Field Marshal Tamas.

Could Tamas really be dead? Taniel was a little surprised to feel a lump in the back of his throat at the idea. He loved Tamas, admired him even, but he didn’t like him, and they had never been especially close. After all, the old bastard had ordered him to kill his best friend. Taniel didn’t even know where Bo was now. Maybe he’d died on the mountain, or been executed by Tamas weeks ago.

Taniel hoped they were both alive — Tamas and Bo. There were still things that needed to be said.

As for Ka-poel… Respect. That’s all Taniel was feeling. And a feeling of hopelessness, for Tamas had been Adro’s best chance at winning the war.

They stopped to rest in one of the many little towns in Surkov’s Alley between Fendale and Budwiel. Normally a town like this would have a couple thousand residents. With the war on, it was overflowing. Supply trains flowed through the city, and infantry reserves walked the streets in their uniforms, enjoying a few days away from the front. Taniel watched as dozens of carts rolled by, carrying wounded and dead soldiers from the front. He’d seen hundreds of such carts since leaving Adopest. It didn’t bode well for the war.

“Captain, if you ignore me for another moment, I’ll have you flogged.”

Ka-poel, seated next to him on a grassy bank while they ate their lunch, elbowed Taniel in the ribs. Taniel looked up, feeling genuine surprise that someone was talking to him.

A colonel sat on horseback, his narrow features twisted in a scowl. He pointed his riding crop at Taniel. “Captain, what brigade are you with?” He gave Taniel a moment to answer, and then, “Wipe that stupid look off your face. Is that such a hard question?”

“I don’t have one,” Taniel said.

“Don’t have a… are you daft? Are you a captain in the Adran army or not? Be careful how you answer, son, or I’ll have you brought up on charges of impersonating an officer!”

Taniel fingered the captain’s stars on his lapel. They were gold, as he’d used his silver buttons to buy mala and these were the only replacements he could get on short notice. His powder-keg pin was in his pocket. Who the bloody pit was this man? Taniel had never answered to anyone other than the field marshal. He supposed that technically he was attached to a brigade. The Seventh, maybe?

Taniel shrugged.

The colonel’s face turned red. “Major!”

A woman in her midthirties rode up beside the colonel. “Sir?” She had long brown hair tied back behind her head in a single braid, and a thin face with a beauty mark on her left cheek. She saluted the colonel and then looked down at Taniel.

“Have this man arrested,” the colonel said.

“Charges, sir?”

“Disrespecting a superior officer. The man didn’t salute me, or answer my questions, or stand in my presence.”

The major climbed down from her horse and gestured to a pair of neatly dressed soldiers to join her.

Taniel watched the three of them approach. He took a bite of mutton and cheese, chewing slowly.

“Stand up, Captain,” the major said. When Taniel didn’t respond, she jerked her head to one of the soldiers. He bent to grab Taniel by the arm.

Taniel lifted the pistol from his lap and cocked back the hammer, pointing it at the soldier. “Bad idea, soldier.” Taniel almost cracked a smile at the looks on the faces of the major and colonel, but he doubted that would help his position.

“Uh, sir,” one of the soldiers said, “are you Taniel Two-Shot?”

“Yes,” Taniel said, “I am.”

“I used to be with the Seventh. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir, but it seems we’re supposed to arrest you.”