Loopbreaker

“Those are some very specific questions, Sage Francis,” Kels said. “None of which I expected if I’m honest.”

Francis shrugged and held up another sword from the training area closer to his face to inspect it. “I understand, but there are things that not even I can see, and one of them is where to find a quality sword that won’t break against enemies with thick hides or armor. The sword you and General Stenson have is not of the typical quality, if I’m correct.”

He watched Kels nod slowly out of the corner of his eye.

“Again, that is not a question or statement I can speak about. Asking about another man’s blade without having earned their trust is almost like walking up to someone and asking them what their skills are.”

Sliding the weapon he had been holding back into the rack, Francis said nothing; instead, he moved to where the sword, which weighed more than seemed possible, rested.

A chuckle came from his blond-haired trainer, but the man said nothing as Francis bent down, inspecting it for clues he hoped to find.

Everything about it looked the same as the others, but only after taking his time to study it did Francis find the slightest markings along the blade.

“I’m assuming this is enchanted, and that’s what causes it to weigh as much as it does?”

“How… you…” Sighing, the knight rubbed both eyes. “I don’t understand how you can know some things and not others, but then again, I’m not privy to what the gods share and what they don’t. You speak with authority, yet you ask questions that seem simple. Somehow, you know about my father and what is going to happen tomorrow in battle. On top of that, you demonstrate a talent for weapons far beyond what I expected and you move with a speed and strength that tells me you have surpassed the novice rank in your Strength and Agility. That alone is… beyond imagination. All these things point to you being a Chosen, and yet you want me to find you a sword that every one of our advanced troops uses. Why?”

Francis smiled as he grabbed the weapon at the end with both hands and pulled. It moved slightly, threatening to tip over the rack if he wasn’t careful. “I’m not at liberty to say,” he replied. “The gods have asked me to stay silent on some things. Not because I seek to keep things hidden, but because that is what they will. Now tell me, how hard is it for me to acquire such a thing?”

“I can have one for you in twenty minutes. My other question is why? I can see that you have something on your mind. Dare I ask what?”

“I’m not sure I can reveal that just yet,” Francis replied. “But you also need to find me some armor. I know it won’t be perfect, as it won’t be custom-made for me, but it should do. Tomorrow, I need to be ready to fight. One never knows what might happen when we change the plan.”

“Wait, are you saying you don’t know what’s coming?”

Shaking his head, Francis pointed at the entrance to the tent they were in. “If you flip a gold coin one hundred times, do you always know which side will come up?”

“No…” Kels replied slowly. “Still… how is that relevant?”

“Tomorrow, we’re going to flip a coin. Everything that I know that will happen is going to change. When the king doesn’t do what our foe expects, what will the enemy do?

Kels opened his mouth to speak, and then shut it a moment later with a sigh.

“Very well. Give me a few and I’ll return here with what you need. Anything else?”

Francis considered the crazy idea he had, knowing he was going to die but wanting to test as many different things as possible before it happened. “Yes, actually. Please have someone tell the general I need to see him. I know he’s busy, but tell him this is something new I’ve seen.”

Those blue eyes studied him, yet Francis just stood there, acting as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

Dying a few hundred times makes lying a whole lot easier.

“You, Sage Francis, are a peculiar man. I look forward to seeing how the battle shifts in our favor and getting to know you more, if the gods allow it.”

He nodded as Kels bowed slightly. Once the man left, Francis grabbed his tunic and pulled it on.

“Stupidest thing I’ve ever done…” Francis muttered, turning his attention back to the swords. “Well, perhaps not the stupidest.”

***

Stenson cleared his throat again, eyes narrowed.

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“You expect me to believe that the gods want you and one of my best warriors to join the seventh line of soldiers?”

Francis nodded, smiling as Kels froze while helping him put on the armor that had been acquired.

“You know what is in the forest,” Francis said. “We both know your men will take it out. I had a vision. The gods haven’t revealed why, but as sure as I stand here today, having used the pass phrase that both you and your daughter know means something, I need him.

“He and I need to be there on the front line. I need to have the best weapon I can, and we’re going to push deep into the enemy lines in a way you can’t imagine.”

Both men frowned momentarily and glanced at each other before turning their attention back to Francis.

“General, we’ve only encountered the rhino-kin once, and you saw the carnage they caused to that group of warriors,” Kels stated. “I’d love a chance to repay them for that, but while Francis is indeed skilled, you’re not strong or talented enough to deal with them. There’s no way you’ll be able to accomplish what you say.”

“That is where you are wrong,” Francis replied. “These creatures are honor-bound in some way. You and I will fight together. All I need you to do is keep my back safe and ensure that none comes near me. We’ll move through the battlefield, picking out targets and slowly making our way through the enemy.”

“And that’s where we’ll encounter this beast that can kill the general?” Kels asked.

“Yes and no. I’m going to hunt down a female catkin who tosses daggers and then face a rhino-kin alone before fighting one in full armor.”

Stenson grunted and shook his head. “But why you? Why this… risky endeavor?”

Here goes nothing…

“Can I have a moment with just the general?” Francis asked Kels.

Kels glanced at the older man, who nodded and adjusted the piece of armor he was helping Francis with before stepping back.

“As long as you don’t challenge him to a fight, you should be fine,” the knight joked. “If you need me, I’ll be outside.”

Waiting until Kels had left, Francis turned and pointed at the chairs near them.

“Can we sit a moment? I’m going to say some things which may… surprise you.”

Stenson roared with laughter and shook his head. “Surprise me? As in, describing our entire battle plan, location of troops, and spells we have, and also using the phrase you did? Part of me is intrigued, and the other part is wondering if I need a drink to go with this.”

“Perhaps, but let’s talk,” Francis replied. “What I’m going to say, I need you to swear upon whatever is the greatest thing you can. It would cause even more problems in the kingdom if word got out, and neither of us needs nobles or others trying to use me for their own end. Just know that everything I’m about to tell you and all I have done is for the kingdom and my brother. Just as you desire for the mages and nobles to have less sway over the King, I desire to find a way to end this all before our kingdom is overrun. We are sending our troops to be crushed against a wheel that never stops grinding.”

The smile that had lit the general's face for a moment vanished and his face hardened, eyes turning dark as he grimaced.

“You speak of things that echo in my heart. Almost as if you were told just what I would need to hear. Do you likewise swear that what you are doing is truly for the kingdom?”

Francis had only ever sworn a real oath to Michael. Yet he could sense an energy of sorts between him and the general as he started to swear another one.

“I swear my life and my brothers that what I am saying is the absolute truth. There is no one else in this world I care about more than him. So, I swear on both our lives that what I am doing is to save the kingdom and him.”

It took a moment for Stenson to react, standing there like a statue, his eyes the only part of him to move as he felt the gaze reading him. “Then I shall swear upon my blade that I shall keep whatever secrets you tell me. If I break it, may it shatter and never be remade.”

“I have a few questions, so I’ll go ahead and get on with the first one. Kels was practicing some sword techniques when I arrived. Tell me, are you teaching him the sword techniques of some season style?”

The wooden arm of the chair snapped off from the general’s grip–each of them flinched at the sudden action.

“You… recognize or–”

“It’s just something I can see a little of. I’ll explain more in a moment. Tell me, are you a master of that technique?”

Stenson looked at the broken wood in his hand and sighed, letting it fall onto the dirt floor and wiping the dust on his pants.

“How do you know about… You do realize what you are asking is… known but not spoken of?”

“We’re about to head into battle, I’m about to go with the one you’re teaching them to, and all I need to know is the truth. Are you a master, and what is it called?”

Francis watched as the older man took a few deep breaths and let them out in succession, a little bit of weight on his shoulders seeming to vanish with each one.

“I am. It is called the Way of the Shifting Seasons.”

“And the one who taught you? Is he no more?”

Stenson grunted. “Your questions… are very personal. I cannot say for certain, but I doubt that he is truly gone from this world. It would take something very strong to kill him. Even in his old age, he’d trounce me like I could you.”

Of that I have no doubt.

Francis put his game face on and went for the real purpose of this moment.

“Very well. Since you answered that, I’ll tell you what I know, and then I’ll tell you what I have asked you to keep secret. This will prove to you that everything I say is true. But first, let me get you a drink. I don’t need you snapping anything else off while I speak.

***

Stenson’s eyes finally regained their normal size as the older man finally composed himself after Francis’ explanation.

“That’s… impossible! You return to the same place after each death? Every time?”

Francis nodded, feeling a great weight leave his shoulders as he took a drink from his cup for the first time since he’d started talking.

“I’ve died hundreds of times, faced countless foes,” he replied. “I’ve held nothing back and told you of the skills I’ve gained. What could I hope to acquire by telling you all this right now before I take Kels from you and go fight to my death?”

The older man’s mouth moved a few times, but no words came. He absently lifted his cup for a drink, only to find he had emptied it a while ago.

“If what you say is true, then… There are so many things I need to consider. Things you need to consider. The potential to win this war is… within your grasp.”

A light appeared in those brown eyes, and for a moment, Francis was certain he saw a bit of moisture appear around the outer edges of the weathered man's face.

“Then tell me, what do I need to do?” Francis asked. “How do I protect everyone we love?”