Imperial Justice
#3 of Heaven's Son
Standard disclaimer. This chapter contains no sex. This chapter does, however, contain some darker images. Use common discretion. The characters and places are my creations, I'd be very unhappy if anyone used them without asking. If you want to distribute this then ask my permission, chances are I'll say yes assuming it's unaltered. Feel free to contact me at nightflurry(at)yahoo.com for comments. I highly recommend reading the previous chapters.
Shorter chapter this time. I was going to put the next part in, but decided against that. That would've made this chapter too long, and I'm trying to keep them short. Enjoy.
Chapter III. Imperial Justice
He charged again, shifting his feet and leaning off to one side, then the other; a moving blur of red fur.
Alexi anticipated correctly this time and ducked to the left, jabbing his practice sword up at the same time, the wood meet Naorume's exposed side. The fox grunted and nodded approvingly. "Good, that was almost perfect! Keep in mind though that on a battlefield you won't have that much time to visualize your moves."
Alexi panted and gave a nod. Two full weeks of this, every day at every stop. The raccoon was a quick study, much to the delight of everyone present; it made things such easier. He could already beat most of the guards if he put his mind to it; the rough and tumble guards were developing a respect for the young enforcer as a result. With only a week left of the traveling the timing couldn't be better; it would do no good to have Alexi take up his post and be incompetent in a fight.
It was a cold, foggy day; autumn was making itself known. The air was still, nary a sound at all. Alexi shifted in his saddle and crinkled his nose as he got a whiff of something. They could smell the acrid odor from some distance. Those guards who recognized the scent said nothing, those who did not would soon find out. The road came to hilltop and Alexi made a sudden stop there, taking in the sight below.
For as far as the eyes could see crosses lined both sides of the road; they clearly had bodies hanging on them. The raccoon nudged Matthias forward slowly and the grotesque sight became clearer. They were all wolves; all of them nude and many of them starting to decay. He felt his stomach trying to force it's way up his esophagus, but he held it in check and continued. Alexi tried hard not too look at the dead, but that was an impossible task; the gruesome examples of imperial justice drew the eyes. Something wasn't right about them and he couldn't figure out what... Tails. That's what was wrong; all the tails had been cut off. Gods...there were thousands of crosses...
The species of the crucified bodies was significant. Of the countless species in the world, wolves were unique. All the kingdoms and the empire itself were heterogeneous; one could find any species in any kingdom. Expect for lupines, that is. They did not live among any other species; they refused to integrate and instead chose to keep their tribal culture. The wolves inhabited the great forests of the north, and the Melikar Kingdom was an alliance of many tribes. It was to the border with this kingdom that Alexi and company were destined. There was almost always some form of war there; nothing major had happened in decades, but there were constant skirmishes. The wolves were hated by many throughout the empire; by the tens of thousands who'd lost loved ones in the wars. By many others who were brought up taught to fear the 'barbarians'. They were less valuable than insects to most Dorians.
The sight of a fast approaching courier interrupted Alexi's thoughts. The lean skunk rider brought his mount to a rearing halt and surveyed the guards. "Tourii Cequestes? You fellas will be a sight for sore eyes back at legion headquarters." That wasn't a term Alexi had heard applied to his group yet, though it was the proper military term; meaning 'Guard Cavalry'. Noticing Alexi's armour the skunk made a fist and pressed it to his left breast, the standard imperial military salute.
The raccoon returned the salute. "What happened here, soldier?"
The skunk grinned proudly and motioned to the displayed carnage. "Well sir, we caught some little wolfboy brat stealing from the market. So we went 'an rounded up a whole village of 'em. Sent all three thousand tails to the wolf king and nailed the bodies up here 'long the road."
Alexi couldn't even comprehend what he just had heard, he turned to Naorume, hoping for some clue as to where to go from here; he got nothing, no emotion on the fox's face. Three thousand lives for some food? There were so many lifeless children hanging along the road; nails bloodily driven through their wrists and ankles. These were lives... this made no sense. Who could be so cruel? The raccoon's eyesight went blurry; be it from rage or grief he didn't know, nor did he particularly care.
The skunk wasn't grinning anymore, as a matter of fact he was trembling visibly; obviously catching his superior's mood. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off preemptively by the enforcer. "Who ordered this?"
The skunk looked down and spoke sheepishly. "General Caius, my lord."
"Very well, take us to him." Alexi spoke calmly and coolly which simply made everyone those present even more uncomfortable.
The skunk lead the cavalry down the road in silence. Only the sound of hoofs of the road and the wind in the trees could be heard. After a short ride something else became visible through the fog. A large encampment formed on the horizon: thousands of identical tents, standards, and rising plumes of smoke from campfires. Alexi broke the silence as he looked over the endless tents as they drew nearer. "What army is this?"
The skunk jolted in his saddle slightly, obviously rattled at the sudden words. "It's the Combined Northern Army, sir. Sixty thousand strong we are."
Alexi nodded quietly as the guards neared the camp. He'd never seen so many soldiers or tents. It was quite amazing that so many imperial soldiers could be lumped in one spot, but he also knew that armies got even larger. The soldiers at the gate stiffened and saluted the riders. The raccoon nodded and entered.
The camp was alive with activity; in some parts soldiers were mock fighting, having religious ceremonies, eating, socializing, training, writing letters, any number of things that soldiers in camp do. As the riders passed, the soldiers saluted respectfully, then watched curiously to see what the newcomers were up to.
Approaching the command tent, Alexi dismounted and held up his paw; signaling everyone to wait. He brushed past the soldiers and threw open the flaps; all eyes inside turning upon the uninvited stranger. Right inside was a large table with about twelve generals in the middle of a conference. About half of the generals rose angrily to shout something, but upon glimpsing Alexi's rank they thought better of it and sat back down.
The enforcer looked over the generals. A complete mix of ages and species; there was no time for introductions right now. "Everyone who is not General Caius...out!" The generals whispered a few things to each other and filed out silently. One remained, a large and imposing tiger.
The tiger sat reclined in his chair, his paws folded in his lap and his brows raised inquisitively. The general spoke with a tone that sounded as if were an instructor talking to a disobedient student. "I heard there was a new enforcer, how nice of you to pay me visit. To what great honor do I owe this, great lord? I'm a very busy man you see...please keep your duties brief."
Alexi felt his fur start to stand on end on his neck; the raccoon may be an inexperienced little yelp, he'd even admit it, but he was not going to be spoken to like that. Alexi advanced upon the reclined general, standing over the tiger and scowling. "You son of a whore!"
The tiger's eyes went wide and he stiffened, gritting his teeth...nobody talked to the general that way, this was his army! The enforcer continued. "Who do you think you are, disrespecting your superior?" Alexi locked eyes with the other and growled. The tiger curled a lip up slightly but said nothing. "I want all three thousand wolf bodies removed and disposed of in accordance with their customs. You then personally will go to the Melikar king and beg his forgiveness for the act."
The tiger sprung up, nearly lashing at Alexi. "You arrogant brat! This is my army! My army!" The feline appeared to go for his dagger but didn't quite commit the deed.
Alexi folded his arms and looked up at the larger general. If there was one thing he learned from his father, it was how to stand up to an insubordinate. Let them do their shouting... "Are you done yet, general?" Caius twitched his whiskers for a moment, and grunted.
"The Melikar have assembled an army, we were preparing a plan of action." He looked down at the raccoon and shook his head. "And no, sir, they can't be negotiated with now, it's too far gone. They won't give up the field unless we drive them from it...after that we can work out a settlement if you wish."
Alexi twitched his tail and sighed, nodding. "Alright general, we'll fight out your mess." He jabbed a finger at the feline accusingly. "Don't think you're off the hook."
Alexi opened the flap of the tent and motioned for the generals to come back in. This they did nervously; having heard the dressing down Caius received. As he exited, the camp was ablaze with motion. Soldiers were donning armour and rapidly taking tents down, fires were doused with water and horses saddled up. The wagons were rapidly loaded with provisions. The army was readying itself to move...
Alexi walked to the guards and nodded to them. They returned the nod understandingly. The raccoon mounted up on Matthias and looked at Naorume a bit uneasily. "We've got no choice..."
The fox concurred. "If you dispose of Caius now, this army would not follow you. Prove yourself on the battlefield, and they'll respect your change in leadership."
The generals exited the tent and headed off to their own commands. Alexi took their cue and dismounted again, beginning to unpack his battle armour. Some of the other guards were already doing so.
Within half an hour the entire camp was packed up, either on wagons or mules or backpacks; quite an impressive feat. The soldiers formed up into large columns, standard bearers in front and officers off to the sides. Alexi looked over the formations; it was mind-boggling. It started to move in the distance and Alexi rode up to the front of the column.
One drumbeat for every fourth foot thud, perfectly in time. The soldiers made little conversation, they simply stared ahead and marched in step. In full armour, with shield in arm they went on, rattling and clanking, but the ever-present foot thuds were hypnotic; and hour went by before the raccoon even noticed. He glanced back, the other Tourii were still there. None of the soldiers or officers; nor even the occasional general paid Alexi any mind. That was what the army was all about though. They'd be as disciplined no matter who or what was before them. The massive serpent of steel and horses and wagons snaked onward on the road.
He was not ready for a battle...but then again who amongst the soldiers was? Alexi didn't have to be in this battle. He rode with them to prove himself. He rode so he could give justice to the slain wolves, their avengers who he would soon be made to kill. He rode, in part, for personal glory.
He rode to his destiny.