Chapter 92: Ocean Eyes
REAGAN POV
I stared into the fire that danced wildly in the chilly night sky, producing erratic dance of flames which sent sparks flying but even it failed to calm my troubled mind. Smoldering wood filled the air, mingled with sweat and iron of my sleeping men beside me, whose mutterings were lost in the distant wail of the wind.
Something was wrong with this campaign to me.
The experience left me different because I had already experienced numerous marches and used steel and filled my tracks with blood during warfare. The king issued sudden orders containing minimal details except for their unspecific demands. One of our ancient enemies seemed to threaten us but there remained no concrete evidence of their hostility because rumors silently spread through the people becoming quieter with each transmission. We were deployed to destroy them when they still carried no weapons before us.
They identified the plan as a campaign of caution. I could not release the worry that our actions were leading us toward something which differed from our original mission.
I heard footsteps coming towards me only to see Nikolai one of my oldest friends walk with purpose towards me. Under the flickering light of the fire I watched Nikolai approaching toward me while his face remained blank. He approached with two cups held in his hands but remained silent before offering his cup toward my grasp.
I took the cup with a short acknowledgment while the heat passed through to my hand before I drank. I gratefully accepted the alcoholic drink as it created a hot burning sensation which traveled from my mouth through my throat and blocked out the nervousness building within me. Nikolai seated himself next to me on the nearby log before resting his legs toward the fire while emitting a soft exhale.
"Alright now, what’s got you staring into the fire like a man haunted by ghosts?"
I arched a brow up only for him to shrug his shoulders. Taking another swig from my cup, I turned to stare at the fire. "Something about this campaign doesn’t feel right."
"Hells, nothing about any of the campaign we’ve been on feels right." Nikolai snorted in response, "But I will admit, this still feels a little strange, I mean the Cossakani are friendly people and haven’t caused us trouble for years."
"Exactly, so why step into their land now? What exactly is their offense that made the king decide to sed us to their lands?"