Dodge: Serial 78

Losha leaves for Sventa while Govan makes way for Capital City.

Serial 78: Round trip

March 19th, 33 S.D.        05:41        Capital City, Henron

    Early that morning, Losha went towards the west gate of the city. She carried but a few provisions with her in a small backpack. Having been stripped of everything back at Navaran, she didn’t exactly have any personal articles to worry about. Even before her capture, the only possession she’d brought along had been her Wolf of War pelt, and that item had stayed behind somewhere with the Sventa army. For this trip, it appeared Losha would travel light. There was one other thing she needed before she could leave, however.

    Tibil was already at the gate when she approached. Noting her through the darkness, Tibil nodded and promptly went to meet her.

    “It is good to see you again,” he smiled. “Though we only met just yesterday, I am rather disappointed to have you leave us so soon, especially after all of your efforts.”

    “I will come back soon enough. I promise you that.”

    “Sa. Well, I suppose you have others awaiting your return too.”

    “Indeed, now that I think about it. No one back home knows what happened here, much less what has become of me.”

    “Sa, sa, let us not keep them waiting then,” Tibil laughed as he pulled something from one of his coat’s pockets. “You must forgive Albolt for not being here. He is an old man after all, and the recent excitement demands his rest. He did manage to pen this, however.”

    He held out a rather thick-looking envelope. Its folds were bonded together by a large, gilded wax seal. The emblem imprinted there was none other than that of the Henron court. She’d seen the design plenty enough the day before.

    “And this document is...?”

    “The formal proposal of our alliance. The details of the cease-fire are written therein. It is what we discussed earlier together, just put forth in fancier legal terms.”

    Losha frowned as she took the package. “Fancy words,” she wondered. “Is that where all the weight comes from?”

    “Be easy in your judgment. Politics, negotiations, treaties: all of them require a special touch as it regards language,” he grinned.

    “No wonder these lands are rife with struggles born of misunderstanding. No one communicates clearly anymore.”

    “Well, whatever the merits of its style, that missive explains our plans and goals. We leave this matter in your hands. Think of it as a tool if your people have any doubts about our intentions.”

    “Thank you, Tibil,” Losha said, tucking the material into her pack. “I will make the best use of it. I assure you. Have you seen Liveta?”

    Tibil shook his head. “The Core Lead? I am afraid not.”

    “She said she would handle my transport. Any horse will do since my serialization will accomplish most of the work.”

    “Sorry. I cannot say where she is. She is usually not one to be late, so I do not think we will wait long for her.”

    Losha paused and looked around. “I suppose you are right. I can sense her seras frequency. It seems she is coming this way eventually.”

    They waited a few minutes more until the distinct sound of hooves plodded down the road. Turning towards the city, they saw the dim outline of a figure on horseback. The equestrian in question was none other than the Core Lead herself. The stead beneath her was no stranger either. In the dawning daylight, Losha could at first scarcely make out the noble stallion, but as they crept closer, she recognized the gallant white hair of her old partner.

    “Izel!” Losha said. His ear flicked and perked at her words as he suddenly snorted and trotted quickly towards her.

    “Whoa!” Liveta said, pulling back on the reins. “I swear, Izel, you still have a mind of your own. You should have seen him when I found him. He nearly broke out of the stable just to greet me.”

    Losha came over and nuzzled the creature’s long snout. “Ah, it has been a while, sa? Tell me, Liveta, however did you find him?”

    “I have been reclaiming a fair amount of things from Ano lately. I tracked Izel down last night through paperwork, and I picked him up just now. They had taken him from us after the Ganglan Pass, but apparently he would not let anyone ride him. He was left to the capital forces until they could come up with something.” Liveta dismounted carefully. She held the ropes out for Losha. “That something, as I have decided, is to leave him with you.”

    Losha looked back and forth between Izel and Liveta. “Are you sure now?”

    “Certainly.”

    “But Izel is yours, after all. And you two have barely been reunited for long...”

    Liveta pushed the reins in to Losha’s hands. “This is what he wants as well. By my orders, you will not receive any other horse from the Henron army. This matter is concluded.”

    “Sa,” Losha laughed. “It looks like we are a team again, Izel” The horse grunted lowly as his tail swished from side-to-side.

    “Losha, before you leave Capital City, you should know a few things,” Tibil said.

    “Such as?”

    “We had quite a storm last night. We have received reports of flooding in some of the lower lands. I have no doubt you can handle anything with your art, but it never hurts to have advance notice.”

    “I appreciate that, Tibil. I will keep myself sharp.”

    “Also,” he added. “You should operate under the assumption that Govan and his forces are on the move. I do not believe they will come by the route we outlined earlier, but there always exists the possibility of an encounter.”

    “Sa, even with my powers, it would not be wise to take on so many alone. Fortunately, any large number of soldiers will be easy to avoid. I can sense their seras frequencies long before they ever see me.”

    “If I may second Tibil’s caution,” Liveta spoke up. “It would be best to avoid Govan for the time being.”

    “Alright, however, I think the subject is quite established. I will not approach him or his subordinates,” Losha said.

    “Sa. I meant...” Liveta paused. “When you convince Sventa to fight with us, do not engage Govan right away, not until I have confirmed a potential problem.”

    “What are you talking about, Core Lead?” Tibil asked.

    “Something is bothering me. I have been away, so naturally, I am just uncovering the details myself,” Liveta began. “It seems Govan initiated a classified research project, some sort of advanced weaponry. The bulk of the data is stored in Binfort. I plan to go there later and investigate this personally. Apparently, Govan informed his Core Leads about it, but not too many others are familiar with it. Records in the capital are sparse, but it was described as a tide-turner.”

    “Tide-turner?” Losha echoed.

    “Sa, though the term itself is somewhat cliche, we in the military reserve it for only a select category of developments or breakthroughs. Normally, something like your conical bullets and our Agnan Walls fall under that grouping. From the notes I gathered, there were quite a bit of comparisons to this new weapon and serialization.”

    “What?!” Tibil exclaimed as Losha narrowed her eyes. “What could change the course of battle as much as Losha’s abilities?”

    Liveta sighed while shaking her head. “I do not know.”

    “Hold on,” Losha said all at once. “Liveta, you remember that doctor I talked to in Navaran? Doctor Sanlot?”

    “Sansat,” the officer corrected.

    “Never mind that. Do you know anything about him?”

    “Of course. He heads weapons development in Binfort.”

    “Has his name turned up anywhere in your searches?”

    “No, not yet. For that matter, no one’s name has either. Everything has been scrubbed of references. It would not surprise me if he is involved though, given his status.”

    “He is all over that project, I am sure of it. That man... He has been after my arts. If they have been trying to make a weapon that can rival serialization, he will not stop until he has met his goal.” Losha looked out across the plains for a while, gazing past the gates. After a few moments, her eyes fled to the ground before her as she bit her lip. She turned up to Liveta directly.

    “Do you think they have it completed already?”

    “They certainly seem to have made promising progress. Something is out there; that is my guess. I do not want either of us to underestimate whatever it is. Ideally, we would attack him together, with combined, overwhelming strength. That would minimize whatever advantage such a weapon might hold.”

    “Hmm... I see. Very well. Let us proceed as if they have in fact obtained this new and exceedingly dangerous tool.”

    “I will continue to collect more information in your absence,” Liveta said. “I have yet to see Binfort myself, and Ano and I need to have a talk. At any rate, I think I have delayed you long enough. The sooner you leave, and the sooner you come back, the sooner we can stop having all of these ordeals.”

    Losha nodded at them both before mounting Izel. As she fastened her pack down, Losha saw Tibil and Liveta salute her.

    “Good luck,” Liveta said.

    “Quick and safe travels, Ver Holvate.”

    “H-hey,” Losha stammered. “What are you two doing? And I believe I told you just Losha was fine enough...”

    “The Wolf, flustered by formality?” Tibil chuckled.

    “You have earned the respect and trust of a new Henron, Losha. Yours is a distinction beyond borders and clans. Allow us to show you honor of this sort, just this once.”

    “I... I suppose. Just do not make it a habit,” Losha smiled awkwardly. “I am just someone who cannot accept the way things are, the same as you.”

    “Is that so?” Liveta wondered.

    “Sa... Well then, I am off.” She pulled Izel’s reins tightly as he tossed his head back. Rearing on two legs, boxing the air with a neigh, Izel posed before the gate. His hooves stamped the ground as he raced forward into the open fields of the Central Plains. Working up a dash, the proud horse gradually picked up speed. After he reached a certain threshold, blue light burst beneath Izel’s hooves as Losha serialized speed-steps. In a single moment, they leaped ahead, tearing into the distance rapidly. Even on these flat grasslands, Losha’s image faded into the horizon but minutes later.

    “You were right when you said how fast she was,” Tibil noted.

    “Sa. Impressive, is it not? And to think she had the gall the put herself on the same level as us. I do not think she understands it herself.”

    “Oh, really now?” Tibil asked.

    “Sa. She thinks it is just her serialization that earns our praise. She thinks that is the only difference between ourselves. But you know it too, sa? It is far more than that. Losha is the type of woman who can change things. Hearts, minds, people. Even without her art, she would find some way to upset the current balance, the cycle of violence that afflicts all Astens. She will make a fine leader someday, and at the very least, she has one follower in me.”



    Govan had had to backtrack on the double following yesterday’s news. It took all he could do to inform Lisk as well. As soon as the events were described to him, he sent his fastest scouts to his Core Lead. At presently, he had not received an acknowledgment from Lisk. The Prime Lead’s new orders were to form up their separate units and return to the capital at once. Govan hoped he’d gotten to Lisk before he’d launched an assault on Sventa like they’d planned earlier. They couldn’t afford to get tangled up with their adversary abroad, not while enemies lurked within. Though their ranks moved quickly, sinking back into Prevati, they had to take breaks for meals. At lunch, Govan’s entourage - Vitna, Sansat, and Koter - sat around in the prairie eating.

    “What a fine predicament this is turning out to be,” Vitna said.

    “You do not seem particularly bothered,” Koter responded.

    “Things happen, Field Lead. A good commander knows how to accept and internalize any situation. If I appear without worry, it is not without reason.”

    “There is nothing to fret over,” Sansat said, as if declaring the matter settled. “With the serasword in our hands, nothing will stand in our way. Not for long anyway.”

    “If you are so certain, doctor, than so am I,” Vitna said as he drank from a canteen. For some reason, Sansat felt the need to reiterate his thoughts aloud.

    “There is not another force like it. Sventa or Henron, anyone who objects to our ways can be persuaded by that blade. We have not even tapped into a fraction of its potential yet. Govan will wipe the rebels out with ease. And once we start producing more seraswords, it shall not matter what opponents we face.”

    “Se? What about the Wolf?” Koter asked, biting into a piece of meat. “What about someone who knows the art of serialization?”

    “So? What does she matter? The serasword alone is far more powerful than that girl.”

    “Is that what your data says?”

    “It is as plain as can be,” Sansat insisted “You saw the demonstration the Prime Lead gave us. You remember the frightening display as much as I do. From all the battlefield reports we have, not a single one even comes close to putting Losha in the same realm.”

    “Hmm... You are a researcher, sa? A man of science as they say?” Koter questioned.

    “Of course!” Sansat answered immediately.

    “Then do not jump to conclusions before you validate the results.”

    “What are you talking about?”

    “You said that sword is stronger than the Wolf, sa? Then wait until you have proof before claiming that. Mere extrapolation is insufficient. That woman is not to be trifled with. Her skills are exceptional, the best across the Central Plains, and she probably has not even revealed her truest strength. She is very good at hiding things after all, remember?”

    Sansat frowned as he stood up, having finished his food. “She tricked us about the use of her hands. We had poor intelligence in Navaran.”

    “More like low intelligence,” Koter said.

    “You will become a Range Lead soon?” Sansat asked. “A rising star in the Henron army. Well, take care not to move too highly.” With a huff, he turned and walked off. Vitna chewed while looking at Sansat for a bit. After a few moments, he simply shook his head as he smirked.

    “He basically threatened you.”

    “Ksh. I know the euphemism. A position too high lands you right up in heaven. Sansat is just angered by his own shortsightedness. He is not a soldier, therefore he is prone to forgetting one of war’s most important lessons: never underestimate your foe.”

    “Indeed. As you mentioned, Losha Holvate Sventa is no one to treat lightly, serasword or no. Ver Govan, as we can be certain, would never enter into combat without taking the enemy seriously.”

    “Still,” Koter said, standing up, brushing bits of grass off his legs. “Sansat thinks too greatly of his own tools. The serasword may be powerful, but it has not seen any actual usage in a fight.”

    “In any case, Field Lead, we will soon get the opportunity to test it.”

    “Hmph,” Koter sniffed, jerking his head to the side. “On our own people, Ver Vitna.”

    Vitna frowned as he wiped his hands and rose to his feet as well. “I take no joy in what comes next,” he spoke, grabbing his sheathed sword and sliding it into his holster.

    “I cannot imagine anyone would. In civil conflicts, there are no winners, just survivors. I also think you personally would find the war ahead troubling for another reason, sa? Your agreement with the Wolf would be...” Vitna made a slight, soft groan as he turned to the east, avoiding Koter’s eyes. “Does the Prime Lead know?”

    “Obviously not. He would see the hesitation in my heart in an instant. You are aware of the standards he holds for his Core Leads. Ano was an exception, since Heigon directly appointed him as Core Lead; Govan had to tolerate his  behavior. The rest of us, we are honorable and respectable officers. Above all else, we are loyal. He would not have me break my promise, but he would not hold back. If we fight Losha, he would simply replace me. I would not be standing here.”

    “And what, Core Lead, do you intend to do?”

    “I can still lead my order. I would just have to avoid Losha...”

    “Hmm...” Koter mused as he took out his special knife, the one emblazoned with fabulous patterns on its sides. When he was bored, he’d grab it, toss it in the air a bit, and catch it. Sometimes he switched hands; sometimes he even looked away or closed his eyes. “It does not sound like you honestly have the will to fight anyone.”

    “And what about you, Koter? Liveta is the one leading the other half of the army. Are you so able to stand against your only relative?”

    “Am I? I will find out when the time comes. Until then, I fulfill my role faithfully as a soldier.”

    “As a military dog,” Vitna muttered. “Liveta is someone dear to Govan as well. Can he really readily fight her?”

    “As you said, Govan is all about loyalty. Liveta betrayed Henron, Heigon, and the Prime Lead himself. Even if we all agree she was blameless during the incident at the Ganglan Pass, inciting and abetting a rebellion is not something that can be overlooked.”

    “That does not mean he will be immune to his emotions,” Vitna pointed out. “He has just as much history with her as he does Heigon. Any man in his position would be torn. These are not easy choices we face.”

    Koter flipped his small blade once more before plucking it out of the air by the handle. He slid it silently back into its holster. “Better make up your mind on where your loyalties lie, Core Lead,” Koter said as he adjusted his hat. “The time fast approaches when all the players of this conflict will come together. Henron, Sventa, Govan, Liveta, Heigon, Losha, and you and me. Best to sort out this before things come to a head.”

    The Field Lead walked off in the opposite direction leaving Vitna by his lonesome. For a time, his hand gripped the hilt of his sword tightly as his lips moved back and forth. His gaze fell idly upon the expansive lands before him as he stared into seemingly endless stretches. Eventually, he sighed to himself, folding his arms. Suddenly, distant words raced into his mind.

    “War is a terrible and senseless thing. It is the greatest of human failings...”

    He blinked rapidly, surprised that he recalled her speech so clearly. Vitna observed the sky, leaning his head back as he murmured privately. “A world of rivalries...” Briefly, he took a deep breath.

    “This is what you were talking about back then, sa? That we were all Asten. That clans fighting each other was no different from a family that kills its own. It is all one terrible mess in the end. You already saw that, Wolf. You knew. To think I would only just now realize this as my blade turns upon my homeland.”

    He wanted to have more time to think about the matter, but in two days they’d be upon Capital City. Koter was right; his choice was due soon.

    “I suppose there really is nothing left for it,” Vitna said. “I know what I have to do.”

Author's Note

In the reaches of Aste, deep within the grasslands of the Central Plains, 14 warring clans mount constant warfare against one another. Through endless bloodshed, the people are forever rooted in a cycle of conflict. Returning to the place she once called home, Losha leaves Palostrol to go back to her family. Yet in their embrace she finds a world teetering on the brink of devestation. As King's words echo through her mind, she must decide if serialization holds the answers to peace. But are the consequences of failure are worth it? The path of the Continent's greatest struggle has only just begun. The Age of Serialization starts now.

The next installment comes July 8st, 2015. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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* You can tell who respects Losha and who doesn't. People like Sansat refer to her as a mere "girl" while others like Liveta and Koter refer to her as a "woman". She is 21 (her birthday is coming soon, btw), so that partially explains why some people still view her as too young. But given all she's done, she's proven herself mature beyond her years.

* Vitna moves into the focus at the end. Koter is probing him to find out what his true intentions are (Koter's a spy after all, working against Govan). Here it appears Vitna is doing a bit of soul-searching. What will be the outcome of his choice? Can he stand to fight his own people? What exactly has he decided upon? Of course that's revealed later, but for now readers are left to ponder what role he will play in the coming conflict.

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Any feedback is welcome. Just writing because I like it. Always wanted to make a weekly series, so I'm doing it.