Chapter 101: Unpredictable
frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓ Nothing ever went smoothly as planned. Through the years, life had never failed to remind me of that.
And yet, I still couldn’t get used to the unpredictable ebb and flow of existence.
The loss of the sixty stolen rifles was a huge blow to our already limited arsenal. But it would pale in comparison to the political turmoil that could arise from my decision to apprehend the gobernadorcillo and his younger brother.
I ordered Capitan Sadiwa to further tighten the enforcement of martial law in the town proper. No recruit was to be left idling in the barracks. Checkpoints were to be reinforced, and patrols doubled.
I also instructed him to launch an investigation into the incident and to take into custody anyone suspected of involvement.
By the end of it all, I was both mentally and physically drained. Too tired, and with the roads too dark to risk a return trip, I was forced to spend the night in the same guest room inside Don Suarez’s residence I usually slept in when I was in town. Sleep did not come easily. I lay there for a long while, troubled by dark thoughts and the weight of awkwardness.
The officers and recruits in Landi had no idea what had transpired. While I had been storming the gobernadorcillo’s house, they were conducting the final night drill of the training. I was slightly consoled when Colonel Abad informed me of its success and the commendable performance of the recruits.
Eventually, I had to inform the officers of what had happened. All of them were taken by surprise, though some less than others.
"I always had a bad feeling about Don Suarez. This doesn’t surprise me at all," Pedro commented. "I think if it weren’t for your intimidating feat of defeating the pirates in Kasily, he wouldn’t have shown you any respect."