“Push the pace, Barath,” said Lanmore over Lee's shoulder. “I meant what I said about making it there in seven days.”
Lee did as he was told and sped his pace to a near jog. By midday, the recruits were panting and struggling with each step.
“Shall we halt for a meal, sir?” asked Lee.
“What do you think, Barath?” Lanmore replied. “Should we?”
“I do, sir,” Lee replied. “If you intend for these men to maintain speed, they must maintain strength. Twenty minutes to eat and rest still puts us in Kratis a day and a half ahead. And I would recommend a ten-minute respite every four hours.”
“And why is that?”
Lee straightened his shoulders. “Because, sir, most of these men will not be able to keep this up for seven days without it; unless you intend to execute half of them before we arrive.”
“Perhaps I want to weed out the weak,” said Lanmore. “Or perhaps I simply don't care about how tired they get.” He chuckled softly. “But as is happens, I agree. The king's army would not be served if I killed off half of the men.”
Lee was relieved. “May I asked a question, sir?”
“You may,” said Lanmore.
“Do you usually escort new recruits to Kratis?”
“No,” said Lanmore, with a hint of irritation. “I've been summoned.”
Lee knew better than to ask why. Lee joined Jacob and Fennio for the short meal, then moved the men out again.
“You will no longer eat among the recruits,” said Lanmore. “You shall take your meals with us. If you wish, your nephew can join us as well.”
“He should eat with the men,” said Lee.
Lanmore smirked. “Not wanting to show favor, I see. Or perhaps the two of you aren't close.”
“He is my sister’s son,” said Lee. “I am bound to protect him if I can. But, no. We're not close.”
“It's for the best,” he said dismissively, “gives a lad a chance to make his own mark.”
The first night Lee set his bedroll a few feet away from the soldiers. Captain Lanmore had them set up a small tent where he would bed down, but chose to eat and talk with them for a short while before turning in. Lee could hear the men laughing and talking, and wondered how Jacob was getting on with the others. He shook his head, quietly laughing at himself. He was thinking as if Jacob was still a boy, playing with other children. He wished he could be with him now. He feared soon their time together would end. Lee knew his chance for success was slim, and often on their journey wished he could turn Jacob away…to keep him safe. It no longer mattered that Jacob had betrayed him. Lee had brought that on himself. His thoughts turned to that day with the Oracle, and his anger swelled. He wished he had ignored her. He wished he had stayed with his family.
“Once this is finished, my part is done,” he swore to himself. “The world can end in fire, for all I care.” He would take his family far from this conflict. Even if that meant living in the remote desert.
Over the next few days, Lee kept the men moving at a near unbearable pace. Even the hardened soldiers showed signs of fatigue. They passed dozens of companies of troops marching south.
“War comes,” said Lanmore, offhandedly on one occasion, when they had to make way for five full companies and their supply wagons. “Soon we can march south and leave this icy land behind.”
“When will it begin?” asked Lee.
“Soon, I hope,” Lanmore replied, with a shrug. “I hear there are things to take care of in the west first. But those are matters for kings and diplomats.” He slapped Lee on the shoulder. “We're soldiers, you and I. Our job is to fight and die, yes?”
“Yes, sir,” said Lee. He couldn't help but respect Captain Lanmore. He was a true leader and soldier. Ruthless and harsh, yet educated in the ways of men. Everything he did was calculated. Even the slaying of Lars had a purpose. By then, rumors had been leaked about it, (probably at the direction of Lanmore) and the recruits gave Lee a wide berth and took his orders without question.
By the fifth day, a light snow began to fall. The sky told Lee that it would soon come down in earnest. Normally, this wouldn’t be cause for concern, given how close they were to their destination, but he knew the recruits, with a few exceptions were ill-prepared. If a storm came, many would freeze to death. When Lee brought it to Lanmore's attention, he just laughed.
“The king hadn't allowed a blizzard for years,” said Lanmore.
“Are you suggesting that he controls the weather?” asked Lee, feigning ignorance.
“When you meet him, you'll understand,” Lanmore replied. “He likes to meet all of his new officers, from the grandest general to the lowliest lieutenant.”
“That will be something,” said Lee. The thought of meeting the Dark Knight of Angraalsent his heart racing. He hoped to be away with his wife and son, long before that happened.
“You have no idea,” said Lanmore. Lee could hear unease in his voice. “To be in his presence is no small matter. You may have seen many battles, and slain many men, but nothing can prepare you for it. The Reborn King possesses the power of the Gods.” He rubbed his hands together nervously. “I felt like a naked child. To tell you the truth, I can't even remember where I was or what he looked like…just that overwhelming feeling.” As if catching himself in an awkward state, he cleared his throat and stiffened his back. “In any event, you have some time before you're worthy of such an audience. Now go tend to your duties.
As Captain Lanmore had said, no storm came, though the temperature dropped to a point that even walking at a quick pace did nothing to warm them. On the last night of the march they all huddled so close around the fire that several were singed. The only ones seemingly unaffected, were Lanmore and Lee. Lee had looked in on Jacob, a few times, who had decided to stay close to Fennio and the other men from Darius' guard.
“You deal with the cold well, for a southerner,” remarked Lanmore, as they took their meal.
“I am cold, sir,” said Lee. “But there's no point in complaining. Besides, I have to set an example for the men.”
“Quite right, Barath,” he replied. “Quite right, indeed. You'll do well here. And don't worry. We'll be south soon enough.” Lanmore alluded often to the coming war, but never divulged anything useful. “Thanks to you we're far ahead of schedule. It's a break in protocol, but you will stay with the officers when we arrive tomorrow. I think you'll find it more pleasant than the recruit barracks.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Lee. He stared deep into the camp fire, pleased. Perhaps the officers would have information on his wife. And it would separate him from Jacob. Should things go badly, Jacob would need time to escape.
“If you wish to speak to your nephew,” Lanmore added. “You should do so before we arrive. It's unlikely you'll see him again anytime soon. Officers and soldiers train separately.”
“I'll do that tonight,” Lee replied.
Lee finished his meal then went to seek out Jacob. He found him playing dice and passing around a small flask of brandy with several other recruits at the far end of the encampment. When they saw Lee, they jumped to their feet and stood at attention.
“Jasper, come with me,” Lee commanded.
Jacob nodded and followed Lee away from the camp.
“Did you find out where Mother is?” asked Jacob.
Lee shook his head “Not yet. But I'll be staying in the officer’s barracks when we get there. I hope to find out more then.” He placed his hand on Jacob's shoulder. “If I'm discovered, I intend to bring down hell upon Angraalbefore I go. If that happens, run. Keep to the woods. Avoid towns until you are south of the Razor Edge Mountains, then make your way to the Goodbranch and take a riverboat to Sharpstone.” He handed Jacob six gold coins. “Hide these. It's enough to get you to Millet.” he saw a flash of defiance in Jacob's eyes. “There can be no debate. If things go wrong, it won't take them long to come after you. If I fail and they capture you, all is lost. You must survive.”
“I will do as you say,” said Jacob.
“I'm so very sorry,” said Lee, forcing back a tear. “But I'm about to hit you.”
Jacob stepped back. “What?”
“As we speak, Captain Lanmore watches. It must seem as if I don’t care about you. It will keep his attention
