Code:
"Freestyle" - "A Small Voice of Concern" by "SonOfDaws."
"A character exploration. This is a lot later and longer than I was originally intended (sorry, Marm), but I wanted to submit sooner rather than later."
A Small Voice of Concern
By Dawson C. B.
As Ayato made his way to the war room, he paid careful attention to the absence of his troops’ liveliness that usually characterized the otherwise modest base. It was his first time being at one of these higher council meetings or even meeting Lord Ilyich beyond the recent promotion, but his mind and accompanying anxiety was too preoccupied with how disheartened the troops were with the Bell situation.
Upon the news reaching him in the middle of the last operation out on the battlefield, he could visibly see the news as it moved through the ranks by watching the wave of shock, dismay, and worried glances at him that followed. In response to seeing this mid-mission distraction, Ayato, in the politest manner he thought befitting of his new status as a colonel, told them to form up and shut up. He had done this in part to get them through the mission and in part just to get rid of the dissent so things could go on in peace. While successfully in his endeavor, it was at the cost of morale.
Despite the betrayal, Ayato was actually concerned about Bell too, but he didn’t say any of this, of course. The colonel believed such emotions and vocalizations had no place when waging war. Still, this did little to quell anyone’s concerns about Bell or his own concerns about those he had silenced. Besides, what if doing so validated their feelings, drew more undue attention to Bell’s crime, and encouraged more people to go rogue as well?
Thoughts of proof of his incompetence preoccupied him. With how beloved Bell is and how unremarkable he is in comparison, perhaps as many as half of his squads would just leave and the other half lost in battle on the next mission. Losing an entire regiment within a week of being put in charge would certainly be an interesting addition to his resume. If things got that bad though, he figured he could at least amuse himself by asking Lord Ilyich if he had any spare troops he could lend him. If for some reason he wasn’t executed on the spot for asking, then he could simply do the honors himself later. It’s a win-win.
His silent musings on his walk were put on hold upon Jeremiah interrupting him.
“Sir Ayato, sir! Bell still hasn’t returned... P-please, permit me to begin a search and retrieval,” Jeremiah hesitantly exclaimed.
“I’ve never put you two together on a squad together, but I know of your friendship and anticipated your eagerness,” Ayato started. “Bell was a great solider and her loss will be felt.”
“But?...”
“But, I cannot permit that now,” the colonel said sternly.
“But sir, surely the cause she left for was a noble one.”
“Her dropping everything to take care of those orphans of war may have nobility in it, but it also could have potentially led to the deaths of many comrades and she’s no longer here to fight without prejudice to protect far greater numbers of humans than a dozen orphans. She’s a deserter. No way around it. Until we’re ready to deal with the matter, get your mind off the subject with some training.”
In truth, deserters or not, Ayato wanted to personally make sure his troops were accounted for, but he’ll have a better idea how to proceed after the war council. He didn’t say any of this, of course. He also deemed such emotion and hesitancy unnecessary between soldiers and their commanding officers. Instead, he allowed Jeremiah to leave dejected.
Shortly after, Ayato arrived, pushed open the heavy, oversized double doors and was welcomed to the keep by General Rein. The pair proceeded up the many stairs further into the grandiose building together. As per usual, Rein’s greeting was followed by much casual talk as he was one of the soldiers close enough in rank for her to feel comfortable casually talking with, but the relaxed air eventually abruptly ceased:
“Ayato, just remember,” Rein started fixing her piercing gaze on him. “This is your first audience with Lord Ilyich and will be there under my name. Your victories and acclaim got you here and you remind me of Lord Ilyich himself so I don’t have much worry for what you might do. Still, respect should be your utmost concern. Only observing and voicing respect. No matter the situation in the ranks.”
Ayato understood the allusion to be no matter what Bell or whoever did, shut up about it.
“I’m simply focused on getting information,” he replied, “and doing what’s best for my people.”
Unknown to even Rayne, Ayato was referring to both his troops and humanity as a whole. Having only been given the abilities of the now world-dominating race of meta-human recently and not being a natural born meta-human like most, Ayato knew of the atrocities the king dished out to humans far more intimately than most fellow rebels and this lit a quiet flame in his heart.
“Your men are my men,” Rein reminded him, “but even so. Nothing but respect.”
He went on unfazed.
However, when the pair finally arrived at the war room, the grandiose nature of the room, the unfamiliar faces, and the up-close gravitas of the man leading a revolution finally reminded him of the anxiety he had regarding this meeting. The wave of unease that washed over him may have been even greater if Ilyich wasn’t distracted finishing up a joyous conversation and a meal with the unfamiliar, older people in suits sat at his end of the table. From what was gleamed, the anxious man managed to gleam that they might be some business associates of Ilyich’s. He didn’t dwell on this for long as he couldn’t help, but look on at the various human artifacts on the polished stone walls and feel a sense of pride. With the ornate blades, shields, and war masks, Ayato marveled at the amount of sheer time, money, and effort it must have taken to obtain and preserve such human treasures and he was glad someone was doing it even if the spectacle only added to his unease.
After cautiously bowing and exchanging pleasantries, the pair took their seats as far from Ilyich as possible. When General Alexander and his right hand man arrived, the laidback, confident personal Alexander exuded typically melted away as he entered the room and eventually came back a bit once he was seated with Rein on the far side of the table. The meeting could then begin.
Ilyich’s associates and Ayato carefully studied the generals give their views on events one at a time. Though he made great efforts to carefully cushion and pad anything particularly unfavorable to Ilyich or what he’s said prior, but he otherwise gave a characteristically relaxed yet proficient recap on events. The associates watched judgmentally and occasionally whispered to one another and Ayato carefully watched them do so.
When the time came for Rein to speak, she made her care for her work apparent and Ayato’s was reminded of his admiration for her, but something bothered him. Ilyich interrupts her carefully planned out speech with a subdued yet articulate voice:
“Since your last battle, I’ve heard whispers of dissent and desertion. What is this about? Why has your soldier strayed?”
“Ah, yes,” Rein said quietly “I was getting to that...” She then began to explain the situation in a manner as to belittle the impact of Bell’s actions on Ilyich’s forces.
“Ahhh Bell, what a fine star to have fallen...” Lord Ilyich lamented. “If only she saw her purpose clearly.-- No matter. The situation will be dealt with. Please, continue.”
Though it seemed normal to all others, Ayato was thrown off as the exchange seemed rather callous.
It was as if nobody had paid his thoughts much mind at all. He didn’t want anyone dealing with his troops, didn’t have enough info to ease his mind or the minds of those under him worry about the girl who’s barely a teenager, and didn’t like the idea of a majority concern of his people seemingly being brushed off. Still, he couldn’t bring himself to speak up upon hearing the exchange. Doing might put himself in the spotlight, might put him in bad standing with the powerful people he was just meeting (Lord Ilyich included), and would potentially go against the words of two of the people he revered the most in his new home. All he could do was feel his heart churn between anxiety, indignation, and a sense of unfulfilled obligation to his people, including himself.
So, the meeting carried on with the outranked and flustered colonel almost settling in his quiet resignation until he raised his head again and looked to Ilyich’s associates and felt that once quiet flame well up and urge him to speak:
“Lord Ilyich, if I may speak,” the man started. The tension became palpable and a twinge of anxiety visible in almost everyone in the room, all but Ilyich who looked upon him expressionlessly.
“You may,” the lord stated plainly.
Ayato felt the gazes of all in the room on him and his heart trying to beat out his chest. For Rein’s sake, he summoned what was left of his composure and continued. “Prior to last mission, Bell served under me and ultimately to you faithfully, without incident, and with much acclaim from her fellows. Her loss will be felt, surely there is none who have served under me who have felt no fear of repercussions or would like to go unaccounted for. Please, allow me and a meager portion of my troops to fulfill our duty and retrieve her-- personally!”
His heart raced and the war room fell silent in wait of the enigmatic lord’s response.
And then, Lord Ilyich did something even more unexpected than Ayato’s interjection, he smiled.
“Ayato, is it? I respect a man that can make his voice heard, especially about such trying issues,” his voice boomed in the room. “Perhaps, my response did not put your mind at ease. Ayato, you and your squads are needed, especially for this next especially delicate, dangerous, and time sensitive operation. However, I do not intend to neglect you or your men’s concerns. In fact, my own personal squads will be searching for Bell and will bring her back soon. So, you can ease your heart and prepare it for the delicatices needed for this coming mission we’re all counting on you to see to.”
Though the answer wasn’t what Ayato had hoped to hear, he was rested his case.
He got his respect returned, got more information on the situation, and left the meeting satisfied, but after the meeting, a question still couldn’t help but linger in his mind: Why would a lord send him and his troops on such a delicate mission, have their personal squad pursue Bell who Ayato was more familiar with, and not handout the two missions the other way around?
Before losing himself completely in thought, he noticed the usually talkative, sometimes naggy Rein was silent and felt vindication. Ayato surmised she was both surprised and upset that him speaking up seemed to leave such a good impression on Lord Ilyich. He thought an ‘I told you so’ may have been in order. He didn’t say this, of course, but his head quietly swelled with a bit of pride.
However, upon seeing Jeremiah attempting to pretend he wasn’t just waiting out front for him this whole time, the reserved colonel smiled faintly. Ayato didn’t have news that Jeremiah could take a squad and search like he wanted to and didn’t know how the search for Bell would fair. However, him speaking up gave him and Ilyich a clearer view of each other’s situations and gave him something to say, if he chooses to of course.
Did try to make it self contained, without needing to read the previous story to know what's happening.
