Chapter 8 Shadow of duty

Title: Shadows of Duty

From her small window, Zazriel had woken to the faint sound of footsteps below. She leaned out, her breath catching as she spotted Troi's dark figure moving down the road, fading into the moonlit shadows. A pang of sadness struck her as she watched him, feeling the ache of unsaid words and unfinished conversations.

"Goodbye, Troi," she whispered into the empty room, her voice soft and filled with a sense of loss.

As she watched him disappear down the road, Zazriel wondered if their paths would ever cross again.

---

After two hard days of riding, Troi finally reached the border encampment, exhaustion settling in his bones but determination fueling his every move. As he rode past the outpost, a sentry spotted him and sprinted forward, astonished.

"Commander Drake! You're here... Are you alright?" the knight exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise and relief.

Drake, his real name finally spoken, nodded, though his face remained serious. "I'm fine, but I need to know what happened. Why was I found so far from the battalion?"

The knight shifted uncomfortably, glancing around as if ensuring no one else was listening. "Commander, we were ambushed. It happened quickly, in the dead of night. The entire company was forced to fall back, but in the chaos, we lost sight of you. We feared the worst."

Drake's eyes narrowed, the intensity of his blue gaze sharp beneath his furrowed brow. "Who ordered the retreat?"

"Sir Lyion, sir. After losing you, he sent Sir Chris and himself out to search for you. They've been combing the area since, but Second Commander Alder ordered the rest of us to move forward to secure the border."

Drake took a moment to let the weight of the situation sink in. He'd been ambushed and separated, yet his men had pressed on to secure their post.

"Sir Lyion and Sir Chris... do they know where I was last seen?" he asked, his tone urgent.

The knight nodded. "Yes, Commander. They started near the last known area and have been widening their search every day."

Drake exhaled, a flicker of gratitude showing in his expression as he realized the lengths his men had gone to find him. "Good. Once they return, tell them I'll be here waiting. For now, we'll focus on holding this line."

"Understood, sir. And it's good to have you back," the knight said before saluting sharply.

---

As Drake walked through the camp, his men gathered around him, their faces a mixture of astonishment and relief. His second-in-command, Alder, approached him, his eyes bright with respect.

"Commander Drake, it's good to have you back," Alder said, clasping his hand firmly. "We feared the worst."

Drake gave a faint smile, nodding. "I heard about the ambush. You did well, Alder, leading the men to the border." He paused, his gaze hardening. "But we're far from done."

Alder's expression turned serious. "The Emperor's orders were clear. We're to secure this border-hold it, no matter the cost. The barbarians are pressing harder than we've seen in years. They want this land badly."

"They'll have to fight us for every inch of it," Drake replied, his voice cold with resolve. "I've seen what they're capable of, and I know what's at stake. We end this fight, Alder, not drag it out. If we can push them back and hold our ground, maybe... just maybe, we can end this in a year or two."

Alder nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "And with you leading, I'd believe it. The men are ready, sir. They know what's at stake, too."

Drake's gaze swept over the camp, taking in the sight of his soldiers sharpening their blades, repairing armor, and whispering quiet words of encouragement to one another. "Good. We'll need every bit of their strength-and more. I'll be training with them, leading each skirmish myself if I have to. We give them no ground, no hesitation."

"Are you sure that's wise, Commander?" Alder asked cautiously. "You just came back from... well, being lost. You need to recover too."

Drake shook his head. "The men need to see me. I need to show them I'm back, that we're a united front. They need my presence, especially now."

Alder sighed but nodded. "Alright, if that's what you believe. But promise me you'll take care of yourself as well."

"I will," Drake said, the intensity in his blue eyes fierce. "We'll set up advanced defenses and patrols at dawn. I want us to know the terrain better than the land itself. If the barbarians want this territory, they'll have to fight for every rock, every blade of grass, every shadow."

Alder straightened, a small smile forming at the corner of his mouth. "Understood, Commander. They'll regret ever setting foot here."

---

Drake took a moment to gather his thoughts, and in that quiet, his mind wandered to the orphanage. He could still feel Zazriel's unwavering gaze, her quiet kindness haunting him even as he prepared for the battles ahead. He pushed those thoughts aside, steeling himself.

As he walked, he spotted one of the younger soldiers, Marcus, fidgeting nervously by a stack of weapons.

"Hey, Marcus," Drake called, striding over. "What's got you so wound up?"

Marcus looked up, swallowing hard. "Commander, I... I'm just worried. I've never seen battle. What if I'm not ready?"

Drake knelt down to meet the boy's gaze. "You're more ready than you think. You've trained hard, and you have the skills. Trust in that."

"But what if I freeze?" Marcus asked, his voice trembling.

Drake placed a reassuring hand on the young man's shoulder. "Everyone feels fear, Marcus. It's what you do with it that counts. You remember your training, you follow orders, and you stand with your brothers. You're not alone in this fight."

Marcus nodded, though his expression remained uncertain. "I'll try, Commander. I promise."

"Good," Drake replied, standing up. "That's all I ask. Now, go help the others prepare."

As Marcus rushed off, Alder approached Drake again, his brow furrowed. "You really think we can hold them off? With everything that's been happening?"

Drake's expression hardened. "We have to hold them off, Alder. If we falter here, everything we've fought for will be lost. I refuse to let that happen."

Alder's voice lowered, filled with concern. "What about the men? They've already faced so much. You think they'll be able to handle more?"

Drake's resolve didn't waver. "If they don't, they'll have me to answer to. I won't let fear dictate our fate."

---

As night fell, the camp settled into a tense silence, the only sounds the crackling of fires and the low murmur of soldiers preparing for the battles ahead. Drake stood at the edge of the camp, gazing out into the darkness.

"Alder," he called, spotting his second-in-command approaching. "What's our status?"

"Patrols have been set up along the perimeter, and the men are resting as much as they can. Everyone is on edge, but they're ready for orders."

"Good," Drake replied, his voice steady. "We can't afford to be caught off guard again. I want reports every hour, and if anything seems amiss, I want to know immediately."

Alder nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "You've got it, Commander. And... about the men, you really think we can win this?"

Drake turned to face Alder, his blue eyes fierce and unwavering. "We will win. I won't allow anything less."

---

As he lay in his tent that night, the sounds of the camp lulled him into a restless sleep. But even in dreams, Zazriel's kind face lingered, her soft voice echoing in his mind. "Will you remember us?"

Drake stirred, uncertainty gnawing at him. But he pushed those thoughts aside. Duty called, and there was no room for distractions-not now, not when everything was at stake.

Tomorrow would bring challenges he could not yet fathom, and he had a border to secure for his Emperor.