“Someone else can clear this off the road. I have some food and wine stashed in the wagon.”
In an hour, soldiers began showing up from the battle. From the look on their faces, Quint saw a lot of frustration. Field Marshal Chiglio had suffered an arrow in the shoulder and was taken to the medical tent.
The Wizard Corps soldiers looked shocked. Quint probably looked much the same, but for a different reason. He didn’t lose friends, but he was responsible for thirty-eight deaths.
Quint was called to the field marshal’s tent. Two supply sergeants stood at the campaign desk behind the field marshal who sat with a bandaged shoulder.
“These two men said you were responsible for stopping an attack on our camp. I’d like to hear your version of the story.”
Quint explained what happened.
“Why did you desert your post?”
Quint held his breath. “I was told I didn’t have to stay with the wagon,” Quint said. “Earlier, I walked through the woods on the other side of the road to the battlefield.”
“You went to the battlefield?”
“I stood on the edge of the woods looking out and imagining what might happen.”
“Did you weave a thread? One that looked into the future?” Field Marshal Chiglio asked. The man looked at the sergeants. “You two are dismissed. Thank you for your work today.”
The tent held the highest and the lowest in the camp; at least, it seemed that way to Quint.
“Now, did you create a portent thread? You do remember I’m a Level 3, too.”
“I did,” Quint admitted. “I saw that there would be no victory for either side,” Quint said.
He didn’t want to admit this, but Quint did not want to lie. If he lied and was caught lying, Quint was sure he’d be executed.
“Did you learn anything from that vision?”
Quint sighed. “I didn’t get the sense the tactics were very creative. The attempt to destroy the camp was the only thing that seemed effective, and I didn’t look in that direction.”
“No creativity,” Chiglio said. “How can a person at their first battle come to any conclusion?
“I hate to say it, but I’ve read books. That isn’t a good reason for anything,” Quint said, “but I have been studying military history and strategy, and I saw two forces fighting each other, toe to toe. Forces weren’t strategically grouped. The Racellian Wizard Corps fought the Barellian Wizard Corps. Why have two evenly matched groups fought when the wizards have tactical advantages over regular soldiers? Use archers to put down the opponent’s wizards.”
“What you described is exactly what happened,” the field marshal said. “No creativity. I received my battle plans from headquarters. I was told the Strategic Operations plans weren’t accepted.” Chiglio stopped. “Forget everything I just said. Forget your portent string. I will put in a commendation for your efforts in battle and suggest that Strategic Operations should give you a chance to participate. I know you’ve been sweeping floors and emptying the trash.”
“Thank you, sir.” Quint was surprised his plight was known to Chiglio.
“I can see why some jealous wizards are there to put you down, but some of that is the reality that is the Racellian military. Forget I said that, too.” The Field Marshal waved his hand and winced from his wound. “Dismissed.”
When Quint returned to the wagon, Gaglio asked what happened.
“At first, I thought I would be disciplined for leaving my post. I can see why someone would say that,” Quint said, “but it looks like I’ll get a commendation. I don’t know how that works, but the Field Marshal said he was impressed.”
“A different man might have had you expelled from the service.”
“And that means executed?”
Gaglio shrugged. “Chiglio isn’t one of them. Neither is Pozella nor I. Your girlfriend, Amaria Baltacco, sounds like someone who would.”
Chapter Te
n
There wasn’t another battle, and the army returned to the temporary fort from the meadow. Quint and Gaglio went over more strings, proving that Gaglio knew more strings than he let on.
Quint didn’t hear anything more about a commendation until it was time to return to Bocarre. He shared a carriage from the temporary fort to the capital with the same wizard corps members except for one who had perished in the battle.
The others hadn’t explicitly heard about Quint’s role in defending the supply wagons, but they did mention the action on the way. Quint was fine with that. He returned to his room without any fanfare other than snide remarks about him returning from such a long holiday from the other servants.
Quint was assigned to another conference in the commander’s office the following day. Amaria ’s threat about him never sitting in the corner chair didn’t come true.
Most of the same officers showed up who usually attended meetings in the colonel’s office, including Amaria Baltacco.
“What are you doing here?” she said quietly with a sneer as soon as she spotted him.
“Following orders,” Quint replied, “like you, ma’am.”
When everyone was present, the colonel stood and reported on the recent battle with the Barellians. Our battle plans were not considered, again,” Colonel Sarrefo said. “One of our wizards separated himself with distinction and honor during the conflict, and we happen to have him in the room.” Sarrefo looked at Quint and had him stand.
Quint was embarrassed, but his only consolation was that Amaria would have to hear what he did.
