Loopbreaker

“A noble's son, Valehart, used to be an officer under some of my men,” Stenson said. “He was… aggressive and spoiled. Perhaps you know the kind?”

Francis grunted and nodded.

“He was a smart man, capable with planning, gifted with the sword from his training and ruthless in his love for blood,” Stenson continued. “I knew little of him at the time because there were other concerns at that time. There were countless spats between the noble houses and the King. As the one who oversees the safety of the kingdom, I do what all men in leadership must do and delegate.

“So one of my officers did that, copying what I did and gave some who were not ready for the mantle of leadership just yet. I cannot blame them as I myself did the same thing many years ago. The blame, however, was when they did not stamp out those bad qualities. Valehart grew to love his position and used it for his own gains. One of which was a taste for women.”

Francis watched as Stenson’s face darkened, a slight scowl appearing as he paused.

“There had been rumors and yet Valehart remained free to do as he wished,” Stenson stated. “Valehart was safe from those he had harmed do to position both by blood and rank. He was smart, never angering those above him, keeping his slights to those who had no recourse. It was reported that one day, Valehart spotted a woman in Prevastyr. You are familiar with that city, are you not?”

“Very much so,” Francis replied. “They are known for taking the ore my father mines and turning it into many great things.”

“That they do,” Stenson said. “And that is why we had a thousand men station in the area, to prevent some of the problems that arose from the success and wealth of the city. Still, Valehart’s lusts had consumed many of the women in the town, and yet this one evaded him. That was because she and Phillip were close.

“Phillip was stationed there years before Valehart was sent there and when that sorry excuse for an officer and a man found out about those two, he did things which forced Phillip to defend the honor of the woman he loved. A duel was called and it was a horrible affair from what I was told. It was one-sided and a painful thing to watch, according to the reports. Valehart left wounds on Phillip that most men would have asked for death as a mercy. Yet Phillip did not. There was a line your trainer wouldn’t step across. Phillip wouldn’t abandon…” Stenson paused a moment, eyes moving as he appeared to be thinking. “Miren. That was her name. And so Valehart was left with a choice: end Phillip’s life or accept defeat, realizing that his opponent would never give in. Valehart had his knife ready to slice your trainer’s neck open when she stepped in.”

The general sighed, a weight of some kind evident from how he sat there a moment. “Miren begged for Phillips' life and in exchange offered herself. Of course, Phillip tried to argue back, but the truth was he would die from the blood loss soon enough. So Valehart accepted, causing the wound that he did and ordered the healers to heal everything but the scar along Phillips' face.

“It broke your trainer and even worse, Valehart discarded Miren a few days later. Neither her nor Phillip ever recovered from what had been done.” Clearing his throat, Stenson sat up. “By then, I had learned what had taken place and put things in motion to solve some of the… problems that had taken place. Even now, I hate to admit it but Valehart is in this camp. His service has been mostly clean and he is one of the officers who directs the Elite warriors. Some might say it's an honor he earned. Those who know me know the real reason Valehart is in that group on the front line.” The general frowned.

“But now I need you to tell me why all this matters?” Stenson asked.

“I believe Valehart tried to get Phillip killed the first time I ever set foot in this camp,” Francis replied. “No one warned him about touching the beasts in the tent and we almost died as the magic they sometimes carry filled the air.”

Stenson frowned and that look of anger filled his eyes. “You have proof?”

Francis laughed. “Beyond my word? No. But I did promise Phillip I would look into this. I’m not certain we could recreate the same thing to take place again, but perhaps. With me not there, it might not come up, but every loop I’ve always asked about what happens if we touch them.”

“Perhaps we can set a trap for tomorrow,” Stenson said. “Your company will arrive, and we can see if what you say takes place. If it does, we can follow the breakdown and learn who gave the order. Even all the way to Valehart himself if that is the case.”

“And if that trap is set and we find that Valehart is the reason for it, then what?” Francis asked.

“Punishment of an officer is… difficult and we are at war. The time and effort spent on such a thing would be considered folly… except it is you asking. If it were not you, I wouldn’t give it a second thought. Yet I know you won’t drop this and would rather see it resolved in the right way.”

“But Phillip can’t win against Valehart, can he?”

Stenson shook his head.

“Could I challenge him instead?” Francis asked.

“I’m sorry, Francis but all this for a single man in a single moment? Is it really worth it?”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Yes. Absolutely!” Francis exclaimed. “This is what keeps me on the line of the hero and not the monster. I would prefer not to just find the man, gut him where he stands and then remove his head. That kind of chaos would cause problems, and even though I’m aware my position and power would keep that action from hindering me in all this, I would rather do this the right way. Perhaps when we find out how to end this war, I can do it then. Right now though, I made a promise and I need to keep it.”

“Very well,” Stenson said. “Then I will make some preparations for that moment. Go, get some rest or do whatever you want until then. I must speak with the King and prepare for a battle I know we will lose. Right now, I realize how much I must enjoy knowing each time you’ll die, the deaths of yourself and my soldiers who fight each time won’t be truly lost.”

“One day,” Francis said as he rose. “One day I’ll find a way.”

“I know, Francis. I know.”

***

“You… you’re serious?” his trainer asked.

Francis nodded and put his hand on Phillip’s shoulder.

“No one warned you about touching, did they?” Francis replied. “How many times have you come here and not once has someone shared how dangerous that might be?”

“Too many… but if that is the case, do you really believe it is out of spite or simply overlooked?”

“You heard how the guards in the tent responded when Michael did what I asked, raising that question in there.”

“I did,” Phillip replied, frowning, his scar causing his lip to curl. “Still… my… my mind is lost because even if it was proven, they would do nothing. I could do nothing.”

Squeezing his trainer’s shoulder, Francis winked at him. “That’s where I come in. If what I believe is true, I’ll kill him for you.”

Phillip's body trembled slightly and Francis used his other hand to steady the man who never looked weak in all the times he had watched him.

“Would you prefer I did nothing even if it –” Francis said.

“No!” Phillip shouted. His teeth ground together as the man glared past Francis and into the camp they were a bit away from. “He took from me the only good thing I had. I was a fool and… didn’t take Miren back when she came. She gave herself to save me and I… was a coward. Even then I could have had love. Miren didn’t care about the scar. She just cared about me.”

“What’s done is done,” Francis replied. “I can’t fix that or help you with that moment, but I can keep a promise I made to help you. Perhaps today is the day I repay the debt I owe for all the beatings you gave me.”

Phillip grunted and shook his head. “You could snap me in half. I can feel it. You’re not the boy from a few days ago. One night you went to bed, a sheet… er a weakling that never gave up and the next morning you strode into the training yard with a physique that screamed power most men can’t even dream of. The fact this is how you say you’ll repay me is…”

His trainer’s throat moved but no words came.

“The gods look upon us all,” Francis said. “We’re idiots but sometimes they show grace and mercy. Today, Phillip, I pray they let me show you revenge.”

Sniffing and nodding, Phillip cleared his throat once. “I pray that today is that day, Francis.”

Giving his trainer a gentle tap to the arm, Francis winked. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to see if I was right.”

***

“My King! I am honored!” Valehart declared.

Francis stood with the others who were gathered, wearing a simpler jacket and outfit. He didn’t want to stand out, simply glad to be present as Stenson stood near the young man named Valehart who seemed not to know why he had been summoned.

He does have a decent build… maybe I’ve seen him on the battlefield, but without all his armor on, it’s hard to tell.

“Rise,” Baxter said, causing Valehart — a man at least six and a half feet tall, with his blond hair cut short and blue eyes that scanned everyone — to stand. “Tell me, how is the morale of the men under your care?”

“As good as can be considering the threat we face every day, my liege,” Valehart replied. “Fear not, though, my men and I are ready when the horn sounds to answer.”

“He’s good,” Francis whispered to Nehemiah.

“He’s a second son,” the older man replied. “The Breevotarn family is in a better position from his rise through the ranks. Their weaving business has flourished in ways that now seem… unusual.”

And to think no one pointed out how much fabric they were supplying to the army. I’m certain Stenson will have me keep track of this for another time.

“I see. Tell me, Captain Valehart,” Baxter said. “There are rumors of some officers who are not acting in the best interest of the kingdom, my kingdom. Do you know of any who are doing such things?”

Francis saw a little bit of color vanish from the man’s face as Valehart cleared his throat and winced.

“I’m sorry, my king. Do I know what?”

“Captain Valehart,” Baxter repeated. “Do you know of any officers who are acting unbecoming of their rank and abusing their power to achieve things for personal gains or other such reasons?”

Stenson shifted just slightly behind the young man as Valehart seemed to sway for a moment. The summoned officer appeared to be struggling under the gaze of a pair of red eyes and the mountain of a man who they belonged to.

“I… I might,” Valehart replied finally.

A faint glow emanated from the gems set inside the wolves on the throne, and Valehart’s face paled.

“Lying is not something one should ever do before their King,” Baxter growled. “Now tell me truthfully, Valehart, did you give the order to withhold information from Sergeant Phillip? The same man you left a mark on years ago when fighting over a woman.”

“I–”

“Do not lie or I will kill you where you stand,” Stenson said, his voice causing the officer to jump and glance back at the general.

Steadying himself, Valehart took a breath and let it out slowly. “I did.”

Murmurs swept across the room and Baxter shifted on his throne, his massive hands clenching the armrests.

“You withheld that information for over a year, knowing it could have killed the very troops we need for the front line,” the king growled. “It is not becoming of an officer to act petty. What is worse is that I have just learned that you have also used your position to help your family grow. Perhaps when this war is over I will root out that weed and rip it free, but for now, I shall turn this matter over to General Stenson.”

Baxter stood, and Valehart took a step back.

The King’s red eyes swept across all those gathered in the room, slowly looking at each one individually. “Let this moment be a lesson for all of you. Soon, I may find a need to ask that same question from each of you. Perhaps you should repent and ask for mercy before you find your head and your family crushed beneath my boot.”

“My King, I–” Valehart cried out.

Stenson yanked the young man backward, dragging Valehart from the room as the onlookers turned their gazes to him, not wanting to meet the glare the King was giving them.

Francis, however, smiled and nodded once as Baxter gazed at him, a slight smile visiting the king’s lips.