Originally written April 2nd, 2024

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Chapter 20

“What the flaming fuck?” Cass walked over to the remains of her tent. The soldiers disassembling it stopped what they were doing and crossed their fists over their chest in salute. “What are you all - fucking...at ease - what are you doing?”

“Packing essentials for your journey,” one of them answered. So, this was Cit’s doing. Cass pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head. One of the pitfalls of having someone so damn efficient running things for her. It was almost poetic.

“Fine, where are my clothes?” They directed her over at some bundles sitting on the ground and she quickly searched through them. She found a better outfit for traveling across the desert, as well as the ornate, gold-inlaid box she’d almost forgotten about.

“Hey, Navid,” she got one of her soldiers’ attention. They gave her a quick salute and she handed them the canopic chest. “Take this to Glaukos, over by the stables. Give it to him and only him. If you can’t find him, give it to Cit.”

“Yes, general,” Navid said with a nod, leaving at a jog with the box before Cass could correct him. She took her bundle of clothes into another nearby tent, changing out of the breezy white robes to slightly thicker and more durable layers of fabric. Snug-fit underclothes, long pants, sleeved shirt, and a loose cloak. No more fancy robes to impress people; she was already feeling more like herself.

Making her way back to the stables, Cass saw the camels saddled and lined up. Some were set up with carts to pull, including her camel Cassiopeia. Workers were still loading them with provisions and equipment. Glaukos and Cit were talking, the former holding the grisly container under one arm.

“Glaukos. Cit.” She greeted them with a nod of her head.

“Cass.”

“General.”

“Can you go check with Anatu that we’re almost ready to go?” Cass asked Glaukos.

“Sure thing.” He offered her the box and she took it.

“So.” Cit crossed his arms. “Guess this is where we say ‘goodbye’?”

“For now.” Cass didn’t like thought of not seeing Cit again. But if the army was disbanding, it was bound to happen. “Where are you heading after this?”

“Depends what all this ends up being.” Cit looked around the camp. “Since you insist you aren’t my general anymore, I don’t think it’s insubordinate to tell you that a lot of us aren’t planning on leaving.”

“Why?” Cass wanted her people to be happy, and a large part of that idea was to go home after they’d gotten what they wanted; an end to the Empire.

“Not all of us have much else than each other here, Cass. I don’t think you realized just how-”

“Cassandra!” Kebb called. Cass looked over at the Disciples of Flame all gathered together. “Join us for a prayer!”

“One moment!” Cass called back. She turned back to Cit as he pulled her into a hug.

“Be careful out there,” he said, “I won’t be around to protect you.”

“Funny, I was going to say the same to you.” Cass smirked, but Cit’s expression was grave.

“I mean it, general.” His voice was low as he glanced over her shoulder towards the Disciples. “Anatu, Kebb, those twins, they were all with the Empire before they switched sides. You’re heading to one of the last cities the Empire controls. There’s an army there. Thousands of loyal soldiers. If they switch sides again, they’ll have support for it.”

“I’ll handle it,” Cass said. She put a hand on his shoulder. “Whatever happens, Cit, I’ll handle it. Worst case scenario, they all turn on me, I get myself out of the situation and come back to find you. Then we’ll bring the Thiria to them and do what we do best.”

That got a smirk out of the old man. They touched their foreheads together and Cass took Cassiopeia’s reigns.

“Remember, I sent some scouts ahead for you. You won’t be alone at Keygoraph.” Cit reminded her.

“Stay safe, Cit.” Cass turned and went over to the Disciples of Flame where they waited in a loose circle. Kebb gestured for her to join him. The sun had just started setting and the camp was bathed in shadow, but he held out a torch in the center of the circle.

“Let’s pray for safety on our journey,” he said. The Disciples all held a hand out towards the flame, walking close into a tighter circle. Cass remained a pace back, keeping her hands to herself. She didn’t react well to heat in any form; whether it was the pervasive touch of the sun during the day or the slow burn of a campfire at night.

Cass had never been a believer in the faith. She only believed in Helen. While Kebb prayed aloud, Cass glanced around the circle of bowed heads to see if anyone else there had a less pious bend. Of those around, only two caught her attention.

Nuut was, unsurprisingly, not lost in the religious moment and instead met her eye with a vicious glare. Cass knew she’d need to keep an eye out for her lest her obsession with revenge permeate her actions and lead her to make a dangerous mistake out in the desert.

The curly-haired, broad-shouldered Sammosan was also not truly focusing on the prayer. Their head was bowed, but eyes open. They glanced at Nuut and then at Cass. Their eyes met and they shared a grin. At least she wasn’t the only non-pious person heading into the desert with the rest of them.

The prayer concluded and everyone went to their camels. Glaukos took the one hooked up to the same cart as Cass. Anatu called for everyone to start and led the way. Cass looked back over her shoulder as she left her army for the first time in years.