The General

The General stood resolute over fields sanctified by blood and blade. Fear and death choked the air, and he felt the weight strangle his lungs. Behind, his army waited.

Two paths lay before him.

They could forge on through the darkness. What horrors awaited, even the wise General could not say.

They could turn back. After all, they had already faced such upheaval on this campaign, battered and bruised as his host was.

Tired, the General removed his dented helm. Yes, turning back seemed the obvious choice.

He ground ashes between gauntleted fingers, remembering why they set out on their campaign in the first place. Greed, corruption, deceit…the General had watched his countrymen grow fat under the guise of loyalism. They had delayed their advance, but had yet to truly banish their treachery. And now they came again, playing a different tune.

Yes, they could turn back. But the general had danced with those demons before; he knew they would not change their steps. There would be crusade after crusade, sent forth silken senator after silken senator. The General laughed–had they ever drawn a sword?

Trumpets blared, and the General ushered his courageous host forward off into the unknown.

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A/N:

WC:200. I couldn't bring myself to do anything satirical--it's already been a long day over here lol. Written for Sarah's challenge-details below:

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