Ch.28 Back to Egypt the journey with General Setka Part 2
Kamil, a man of wisdom and grace, With knowledge that lights up his face. Respected by all, he seeks to bring fame, To honor his family's noble name.
Will he stand as an ally, strong and true, Or will he cause Jack's plans to undo? In this journey of twists and turns, The answer, my friend, soon discerns.
For Kamil holds secrets within his core, A key to unlock the unseen door. His intentions, a mystery yet untold, Will he bring Jack glory or leave him cold?
As the tale unfolds, we shall soon see, The role that Kamil plays in this journey. A friend or a foe, the path he'll claim, His actions shall bring honor or shame.
Back to Egypt the journey with General Setka Part 2
Jack and Ramon continued to walk calmly towards the meetup point, which happened to be the training ground where the soldiers gathered for practice.
"Why didn't General Setka just hold the meeting at the main gate?" Jack asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Well, we need to get our horses first. Plus, anyone who doesn't have the required equipment, like spears, might get in trouble. So, it was better for us not to make the general even angrier by showing up without a spear," Ramon replied, explaining the situation.
Jack felt grateful and turned to Ramon, saying, "Ramon, you really saved me back there. Thank you."
Ramon shrugged it off casually, saying, "No problem, Jack."
They noticed a group of soldiers up ahead who were of different sizes—small and large—and were dressed in excellent armour that even stood up to that of some generals. These were the guards from the special unit under General Setka's command. A man in a red robe with black hair that reached his ears stood in front of them. At his side, he carried a large, outstanding sword. He separated out from the guards surrounding him since he walked with a confident demeanour while they donned armour made of made off Steel. He was a brown-eyed man with dark eyebrows, and he was grinning while walking and eating dates.
"Lieutenant, do you want anything?" a soldier asked the man in the red robe.
"No, I am alright for now. But did you pack the required food, as I asked you?" he said.
"Yes, lieutenant, I did, as you said," the soldier replied.
"Good. Well, let's hurry to the training grounds," the lieutenant said.
"Yes, lieutenant!" shouted all the soldiers in unison.
"Who is that man in the red robe?" Jack asked Ramon.
"Oh, him. Well, you will see. We are at the ground, so you'll find out soon," Ramon replied.
As soon as Jack entered the training ground, his eyes were filled with strong soldiers, those who feared nothing and were ready to put their lives on the line. The field was bustling with nearly a hundred soldiers on horseback, prepared to embark on a journey with General Setka. Half of them held higher ranks, evident from their superior horses and armour, while the lower-ranking soldiers formed smaller groups, talking and mingling amongst themselves. The division was apparent, but they lived with it.
"Jack, this way," Ramon instructed.
"Okay," Jack replied, following Ramon.
They found themselves in the stable, where only one horse remained.
"Jack, this is Kailo, my horse," Ramon introduced to Jack.
The horse had black skin and looked impressive in its physique, possessing height and muscle. However, there was something unusual about its eyes.
"Um, Ramon, what's up with the horse's eyes?" Jack asked.
"Oh, don't worry. Sometimes it sees things," Ramon reassured him.
"So, the horse is technically cross-eyed, and its eyes lose focus, right?" Jack explained.
"Oh, no, don't worry, Jack. He has been with me for three years. He's a good horse," Ramon assured him.
Jack let out a sigh. "Oh well, I guess this is the only horse left here, so we'll have to take it."
"Yes, indeed," Ramon replied with a smile.
After getting their horses, Jack and Ramon left the stable and headed onto the training field to prepare for their journey. Their armour was in place, and they shared a horse, with Ramon sitting in front and Jack behind him. As they rode, they noticed people giving Jack gazes of hatred or mystery. Some soldiers disliked being around Jack, while others were intrigued by the mystery surrounding him. They whispered among themselves, commenting on what Jack was wearing on top of his armour, referring to his modern brown coat. Jack ignored their comments, not wanting to reveal that he was from the future and attract unnecessary attention.
Suddenly, the loud sound of horse hooves echoed in the distance. It was around 11 AM, and General Setka of the army had arrived, clad in his mighty armour and ready with his sword. He addressed the soldiers:
"Men, our mission today is to retrieve the minerals from the alley of Wadi Hammamat. We will embark on a challenging journey lasting up to two days, but we must complete it within one day, including a night's rest," General Setka announced.
The soldiers began to murmur, expressing doubts about completing the task in such a short time. Phrases like "it seems impossible" circulated among them. General Setka reassured them, saying their spirits wouldn't tire, but their horses would. He then mentioned that the lieutenant had a plan and would explain it.
Jack scanned the area, trying to identify the lieutenant. He initially thought it might be a strong soldier in armour but soon realized he was mistaken. From the corner of his eye, he saw the man in the red robe riding on his brown horse. The man introduced himself as Lieutenant Kamil and presented his extraordinary plan.
"I have prepared for the challenging journey ahead. Some soldiers have been sent ahead to set up camps and prepare additional horses at midway points. This way, we can maintain full speed throughout," Lieutenant Kamil explained.
The soldiers erupted in excitement, shouting their support for Lieutenant Kamil, expressing their belief in his leadership.
As the soldiers rearranged themselves into groups, General Setka directed the formation. The special unit soldiers, distinguished by their exceptional armour, assembled behind the general in a disciplined manner, resembling a parade.
"Next, Commander Menes's men will position themselves behind the special unit," Setka commanded.
Ramon, Jack, and Kasib maneuverer through the crowded field, struggling to reach their designated position amidst the multitude of soldiers. Finally, they managed to join the line, standing behind the special unit.
In front of the special unit, Lieutenant Kamil observed Jack, silently remarking to himself, "Interesting brown thing he's wearing." He stroked his chin, deep in thought. "I have a feeling I'll be seeing more of you, Jack Sterling…"