Headed by a Snake

In the distance, a blue-furred kobold laid on its side. It squirmed and sniveled, restless. Its legs twitched, pawing at the sky like it was having a nightmare-- like the pain it was experiencing wasn't real... like it was desperately trying to wake up.

A Tyrion pilum had pierced through its stomach and out of its back. The off-white fur on its belly was stained filthy from blood-soaked dirt.

Justus saw Zehr miss his throw... The line was an easy, straight shot. Rena's chosen ambush point allowed him the advantage. Justus had missed as well-- but he couldn't understand why Zehr's aim had strayed.

...Unless?

No, that still made no sense. Why would the Decanus miss on purpose? What reason could there be in injuring a demi-human instead of killing it outright?

Modestus, the old Munifex, clicked his tongue, "You see... the reason we're keeping one of those Flame-taken shites alive..."

"Ugh..." The man trailed off as he stroked his grey beard, his face full of frustration, "Flame take it all-- I don't like it either! But it's them or us. It's a fine order, damned as it is. You'll hear no gripes from me!"

Rena approached Zehr holding out one of her enchanted bolts, "Decanus... one shot. Let me do it..."

Her large, childish eyes sparkled as she pleaded in a hoarse whisper, "Please..."

Zehr reached forward to close the archer's hand around her gift of a merciful death. He shook his head, "No, Rena. Save your ammunition."

Justus cleared his throat, "Then make us understand, Decanus."

The golden-eyed Decanus narrowed his eyes, "Are you challenging me, young man? Your superior officer?"

An ice-cold chill ran down Justus' back and his entire body froze. What... what was this feeling? What was this horror? He opened his mouth to explain himself, but his throat felt like it had sealed up-- he couldn't breathe, he couldn't scream.

"Decanus, your aura," Gianna warned.

Justus collapsed again to his knees. He thought he had gotten over the shock of his first battle, but the intense wave of fear that washed over him was nothing like he'd felt during the kobold slaughter. When he stared into the Decanus' eyes, it was like he was staring into the eyes of a feral beast, thrice his size.

"Tss..." The Decanus scoffed, "I apologize, young Munifex. I am in a foul mood."

"Could... you please tell us, Decanus Zehr?" Rena pouted her lips. She folded her hands with sincerity, allowing her crossbow to hang from its sling.

Zehr closed his eyes, placing his palm over his mouth in thought. He tapped his cheekbone impatiently... "I will ask you a series of questions in order to better facilitate your understanding. Are you prepared?"

Justus sat up with Rena's help and he nodded, though he kept his eyes on the dirt. The sudden bout of fear had mostly left him, but still, he didn't want to meet Zehr's gaze.

"The enemy has sustained a great injury. From there, what are they capable of doing?" Zehr asked.

Justus grimaced, "He can... struggle to the end."

Zehr nodded, "Correct. However, I'm looking for... specifics."

The dying kobold whimpered and whined. It reared its head up to howl but stopped abruptly-- coughing up gobs of blood.

Rena's eyes widened, "He can cry for help."

She whispered as if she didn't want it to be true.

Zehr nodded, "Full marks, Rena."

Justus grit his teeth in the horrific realization, "But... it doesn't sound like it's crying for help. It just sounds like it's in pain."

Modestus shook his head, "It's the same thing. The enemy will hear the blue-furred bastard and try to help... We... we, humans, would do the same thing."

Justus shook his head frantically, "No... that's... no. We can't be doing this! This is... cruel! Too cruel!"

"Munifex Justus, your voice," Zehr reminded, annoyed.

Justus nearly bit his tongue, having realized he had unconsciously raised his voice.

He looked over to Gianna, who was crouched nearby, "Gia, you can't agree to this either?"

"Decanus..." Rena whined, "No..."

Justus looked back to Decanus Zehr. He held another pilum to his ear with his opposite arm outstretched. It was a perfect throwing stance as if the Decanus was emulating a statue.

Looking over to where the injured kobold lay among the dead, the creature had dragged itself 5 feet away, leaving a gruesome trail of blood. Justus forced himself to watch as Zehr's second thrown pilum pierced through its calf, pinning the creature to the dirt.

Its howl of agony far surpassed all its previous. It cried out in anguish with a new fervor. Its high pitched whines threatened to unravel Justus' sense of reason.

Justus returned his gaze to Gianna. She had her eyes shut and was frowning with a deep grimace.

"Gia..."

...He wanted to say more. He had trouble finding the words-- any words. Seeing Gianna's dark expression plunged his mind into an abyss of confusion and regret. How did they get to this point? Since when has it been okay to commit inhumane atrocities in order to survive?

"It sickens me..." She admitted, "But I understand the Decanus' reasoning. The tactic was chosen out of necessity, not out of malice."

"But... we can just go hunt the patrols? We... we have the troops for it?" Justus tried to argue, even though he didn't believe his own words.

"No..." It was Rena who had answered. She held her stomach as if she too, was growing nauseous, "We have a really good vantage point here. We're upwind and are hidden from the path. This is the safest way to ensure minimum casualties."

Justus gulped, remembering how there were only 3 members of the sent runners instead of 4. He slumped back down into the dirt, feeling lost and uncertain.

Was this really the life of honor and glory he had sought?

Zehr sighed, "Accurate assessment, Rena. And thank you for your support, Gianna."

"Forgive me, Decanus." Gianna replied, her eyes closed, "I don't support this decision. I... I wish it could be different."

"That is acceptable." Zehr nodded, "And you, young Munifex."

Justus pointed at himself, "M-me?"

"Understand that this plan was chosen out of weakness. Only those privileged enough to be strong can fight with honor. The Iredar are similar in that they rely on surprise, traps, and overwhelming numerical advantage."

Justus grimaced, baring his teeth, "But those... are proper military tactics?"

Zehr allowed himself a light shrug, "Proper military tactics refer to those that are effective."

It was a harsh truth and thinking on it made Justus' chest ache... but it was a viewpoint he hadn't heard before.

He glanced back over to the injured kobold. It stared at the sky, arching its back and howling... Each howl growing weaker and weaker, trailing off. The creature's death from its injuries neared ever closer.

Justus shut his eyes, trying to drown out the pained cry with his thoughts. He needed to become strong. He needed to be the hero deserving of his title.

If only he was strong enough to wipe out the kobolds by himself, would he be able to avoid the cruelty and injustice he'd experienced this sun.