Retake and Repurpose

"Just like old times." A smile slowly formed on his face while he looked at them, jovially singing songs or eating from the small pots and fires hastily made.

"Back when we were just fighting a few foreign invaders for most of our lives." He chuckled.

The General walked quickly back inside, carrying a rolled up map in his hand followed by the escorts.

On top of the map earlier, he laid out a large one. One far more detailed depicting hills, mountains, noted down roads, and another area. Encircled in red paste, a large place with the words: "Orikanthis" marked in black colored ink.

Venator joined in with the escorts, looking intently at the map.

"With the reinforcements we have, we can begin moving around the roads with a few horsemen scouts around us for alerts." He placed a small figurine of a soldier next to a small circled camp, our camp.

"The path towards them is filled with mountains and forests, once we pass through it, it's only flat grasslands." The General continued, pointing at a spot on the map depicting trees.

"With our mage we will position ourselves just near the border of the forest and their land, our surviving infiltrators will cause disruptions and hopefully manage to open the gate for us to be let in, once this has been completed we may head through quickly to the gates of the kingdom and destroy it. To destroy their capital like how they did to ours." He explained, his head slowly raising up to Venator.

"For you Venator, you will stay closer to us. You can't get farther from the main army once we breach, you will provide support for the army to continue pushing deeper into the heart of their kingdom, burn buildings if you must." Venator showed a face of hesitation

"Apologies sir," He spoke up, "But if the order requires me to kill the unarmed, i can't do that." The General took a few seconds to think of what was said.

"Very well, then the soldiers will be the ones that perform the task, you will only fight any mages or footmen we come across in the march and inside their kingdom, understood?" Venator nodded his head in response.

The General rolled up the map in conclusion.

"The plan will commence by dawn, it is highly advised to rest and eat before we begin the march."

With the plan set, the soldiers left the tent, Venator and the General stood silently.

"Venator this may be one of the biggest breakthroughs yet with mage and Bellunamien relations." The General spoke, looking at Venator with confidence in his eyes.

"I must ask General." Venator spoke, the General continued looking, now with attentiveness awaiting for the question.

"Why must you show mercy towards people like me? The rest want the heads of mages while you spared me." The General stood silent for a few seconds.

"Well," He placed his sword and helmet on the table, "I had a sister a few years ago. One day she was found to have had magic, a stream of water flew out from her hand while we walked along the riverside. A year or so after, the law came to pass and mages found were killed. I was a soldier at that time, and realized what would come, thus, when I came back I found her gone. Gone from the farm we lived in with our parents. They said she ran away but I was doubtful of that. For a time I wanted to turn coat." The General's face turned to one of sadness and anguish as he continued speaking.

"Well, that's enough. But I assume you know enough on what happened. Because of what happened, despite what has happened. The mages are just people like us, the ones that besieged us all these years though, are not so. I only wish to hopefully free those who bear magic but harbor no ill will." He finished speaking, a tear nearly coming out of his eye.

"There are mages scattered around, either in our kingdom, in theirs, or just in the fields. But they all share one thing in common. They all came from our domain. And we purged or forced them out, regardless of their intentions." The General finished speaking, Venator looked in acknowledgement.

"My Lord." A soldier walked inside carrying two silver platters filled with meat and bread, he placed both on the table, quickly leaving after.

"I'll release you just for now, don't try to do anything foolish. This nation has evolved to fighting mages." He warned Venator.

He removed the chains, quickly Venator began eating the food. His spent energy slowly returned with each bite from the warm meal.

The two ate silently with each other, the General keeping an eye out for the unchained mage standing in front of him, keeping his own sword in sight.

As they finished eating, the General began cuffing Venator again.

The sun above was now striking the middle. The soldiers outside rested, turning the once loud camp into a silent resting place.

"Rest in the tent for now, we'll need to be ready for the sight of dawn."

Venator sat down on the grassy ground, lost in thought as the world around him slowly turned silent. The General sat on the edge of the packed tent, resting on a mat on the ground.

The day was calm from then on as the sun shone down onto the empty outside, soldiers taking their rests inside the many tents of the area. Only a small few walked around, patrolling the taken camp, switching shifts at different intervals.

Slumber soon took over his consciousness, drifting off while he leaned onto the tent sturdy tarp, seeing the world around him slowly fading to black.

The General's escorts soon entered inside, all carrying different pieces of Venator's gear.

"Guard him for now. We'll leave once the sun sets, by then everyone shall be ready for this bold attack." He ordered, they positioned themselves around Venator's sleeping body. A few sat on the table while others stood.

They were all untrusting of the mage, despite what he has done, through their helmets resentment filled their minds, but continued to uphold their duties.