The Century Chpt. 1 Pt. 1

For a path surrounded in thick forest on both sides there was  a great deal of wind. Weather was odd sometimes. It could be sunny and rainy with not a single cloud in sight. But also complete storms and no rain or wind. But most the time the weather was much like the land. At peace.

Sergeant Jasper was in the lead of his small detachment sitting proudly on his horse. He road a chocolate brown mustang with black mane, tail, and hoofs, by the name of (horse name).

Sergeant Jasper was an average man in height and muscle. His thick black hair was slick back with only a few strains out of line. It was just long enough to cover his neck. He had perfect skin besides a scar on his left cheek. His left eye was sky blue while his right eye was a brown. He wore his black sergeant coat over his white blouse. Neither were tucked in. The coat had gray on the shoulders and inside and had golden buttons. The only thing that looked professional was his face.

His assistant, Corporal Kokora, road Miyu, her creamy mare with her gray mane and tail braided, a few paces after him. The Corporal had long light brown hair and teal eyes. She had three piercings on each ear. Her uniform was in perfect condition, no wrinkles. Her blouse was buttoned all the way besides the very top one and was tucked in. Her black coat was properly fit and had two front pockets. Her sword was slung on her back.

They were off to a meeting with outside territory to discuses boundaries and agree on a few new terms. Sergeant Jasper was hoping to avoid a war, but never when one does not for war they always get a war.

"Sergeant! Sergeant Jasper!" A voice called behind the Sergeant and Corporal. Both the higher ups turned to look. Private Oscar came into view on his white and black pinto horse, bareback with no bridle. The small detachment of 6 men continued marching but turned their head to see the commotion behind them. Private Oscar slowed his horse to a slow trot. He passed the detachment and caught up to the higher ups.

Sergeant Jasper blinked his blue and brown eye and sighed at the sight of the Private. "What are you doing here Private? I told you to stay at Headquarters." He said not surprised or angers that Oscar had come.

"Easy Jun. Easy." Oscar slowed his horse, Jun, to a walk. The horse pawed the ground in disappointment of the speed and snorted. Oscar stroked Jun's neck. "Sorry to disappoint sir." Oscar moved his attention from his pouting horse to the Sergeant. "Do you bring news?" Corporal Kokora asked as she straightened Miyu back into her path, due to the fact that her horse seemed to have a liking to Jun.

"No Corporal. No news. Its just..." Oscar was confident but soon trailed off before coming to explain why he was there. "Speak Private. Nothing will be help against you." Sergeant Jasper stated looking at Oscar before returning his gaze off into the distance of the forest path. "Well sir. I-" Oscar stuttered, "I think you should just send an ambassador! The new ruler of the Land of (other territory) is a tyrant and an evil one at that. He slaughtered the main army of his kingdom. Only him and his Corporal. The took over by trickery! They will not be true to whatever you decide in this meeting. It is too danger-" "That is enough Private!" Sergeant Jasper yelled not moving his gaze. The detachment jumped in surprise and Oscan did as he was told and shut his mouth.

"I am aware of the information and task at hand Private. I am also aware of the risk in the task." Jasper blinked still looking into the distance."We have experienced a long peace time with all the territories surrounding us. I am hoping to continue that peace." Jasper blinked once again and then looked at Private Oscar in the eyes. "I appreciate your concern Private but-" there was a moments pause. "But I already got Corporal Kokora to remind me of the risk." Jasper have a smile and closed his eyes. Kokora rolled her eyes at the Sergeant's comment.

"Besides." The Sergeant continued. All eyes were on him as they continued marching. "It is too late to turn back now." He said calmly with his gaze already returned forward.

All eyes of the group sifted from the Sergeant to up ahead. The path opened to a dirt field. Large wooden gates stood high and mighty a few miles into the dirt field, and walls extended out of the sides and stretched for miles. The walls continued along farther than the Sergeant could see from their position. A hawk screeched above then in the sky.

The small group stopped still in the cover of the trees, looking out into the field. "We have arrived." Sergeant stated.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The detachment and Higher ups stood as the great wooden gates opened slowly in front of them. The large wooden gates were only open enough that the group could pass through comfortable in their formation. Although. Before the group traveled into the walls the Sergeant held them there as he gazed inside for a minute. He spotted a single man in the open within the walls. "Please! Come it!" The man called in a loud voice. Sergeant looked at the Corporal who had looked at him for his orders. Jasper only nodded before taping (horse name)'s side lightly with his combat boots. There was only a moments delay before the group followed behind their Sergeant. Private Oscar gulped before following Kokora in.

"Ah. Sergeant Jasper. What an honor to finally meet you." The man bowed with both arms at his side. His voice gave Oscar the chills but made everyone uncomfortable. Only Jasper was able to hide his slight discomfort.

The man had his eyes closed in a smile when he came up from his bow. He had a scar on his left eye but did not seal it shut. When he returned to standing position his smile loosened then his eyes opened. He had blood red eyes that looked nearly empty. A cold gaze was hidden but it was like looking into a bloody battle field. He had a similar hair style to Jasper but shorter and completely in control, no loose strains. The man wore a complete black suite with black shoes. The only other color was red on the rim of his collar, sleeves, shirt bottom, and ankles.  

"Please. Let me introduce myself. My name is Sayomi. I am the Adviser and Top General of the King." Sayomi smiles at the group. Kokora shivers at the sound of his name. "Why hello Sayomi. As you know I am Sergeant Jasper. This is my assistant, Corporal Kokora, and Private Oscar." Jasper stairs on his horse and gestured to his companions with his hand. Both Kokora and Oscar nodes their heads in respect when they were gestured to. "Excellent. Well I am honored to meet you all. I apologize for being the only one to greet you. Our King was unable to make it, but sends his regards." Sayomi gave a side smile that screamed danger.

The group all looked around at different times, or just in different directions the buildings here were wood and looked old and used. All the windows were covered with rags and all the doors were shut. At first it seemed like no body was home. But on occasion a young boy would walk out the door. See the commotion on the group and gasp before running off deeper into the city.

There were no soldiers in sight and the group was allowed to leave their horses on the post. They all watched as their riders continued walking down the path, following Sayomi. Jun neigh end as his rider disappeared and snorted yanking his head at the rope that tied him. Miya was trying to comfort Jun but was having little luck. (Horse name) stood still, the only movement being his tail as it swat away the flies and his ear twitching at the sound of noise.

Sergeant Jasper led his detachment following Sayomi. Private Oscar had his gaze wandering the kingdom. The deeper they went into the city, the more women and children they saw. So far there was not a single grown man in sight. But what they did notice that there were young boys and teens below the age of fifteen. The commoners did not look the groups way as they walked through the city. Much of the crowds crossed the road after they passed and headed down a large and fairly busy street. If one of the members of the detachment looked carefully they would see the beginnings of a market place. But it stretched all down the road so far that from where they stood they could not see the end. And still, there was not a man in sight.

The Corporal was confused at the sight of the city. She could tell that the kingdom was up to something. It was clear by the absence of all the grown men. Part of what confused her was the lack of old men. Surely there would be men too old to do whatever they were planning. She looked from side to side with her eyes still standing tall and following the sergeant. The other part that confused her was the reason of the great scale of the preparations. To her. It was clear why the men were missing, but on the greatness of all the men gone was surprising.

They walked. Soon they arrived at a smaller wall that had men guarding from the top. Three men looked over the wall. One must of been an officer because he spotted Sayomi and instantly began barking orders. The smaller gates opened and reviled a lively military training ground, and there. They found the men.

Men were marching in time with each other. Men were saluting to an officer as he began yelling at them. There was a shooting rang that was organized into five lines with at least twenty men in each line. The first in like would shoot three times and then jog to the back of the line. There he would reload his gun. Men practices sword fighting. In the distance men practiced marching horses. They were all on a strict routine. They were preparing for something. War.

They group continued to follow Sayomi. The men of the detachment saw the numbers of the training men and grew worried. Sometimes one would lean his head as he was marching to whisper into another's ear. Sergeant Jasper walked calm and collected with his hands behind his back. Corporal Kokora walked very close behind him. She was tense and her sword hand was twitchy. Private was in front if the detachment and he didn't hold his head as if he was a Private. He let his head dangle a bit and kept it facing forward only moving his eyes from left to right, keeping his face serious.

Jasper began piecing the puzzle together, but he was still missing some important pieces. He needed to be on his guard. "Sayomi. When do we plan to discuss the requirement of an improved treaty of peace?" Jasper through on the comment of peace to see the reaction of the man.

A reaction he got. Sayomi let out a little chuckle. "Now Sergeant. You aren't rushing the peace now are you. If I am not mistaken. You have had peace on your land for over thirty years. Why start sound so eager to start a war." He chuckled again. Only turning his head to look behind him with an devilish smile. That chuckle sent a chill down Jasper's spine and the smile almost made Corporal Kokora draw her sword.

They were up to something. If the training men wasn't enough to convince someone this man would. Danger and evil seemed to radiate from him. He was almost like a Demond whom arrived from the depths of the underworld to corrupt the world.

"We have no intentions to start a war. We have come here to renew the boundary treaty. If anyone looked to start a war. Evidence points to you." Jasper replied to the comment calmly. Besides the fact that it seemed like a sword was pointed to his throat. Sayomi seemed a bit surprised at the Sergeants reply and returned his head to be facing forward. "No need to go pointing fingers." Sayomi said. "The war hasn't started yet." They passes a large building. As they did so a loud and angry roar erupted from it. The detachment jumped in surprise. That roar covered up Sayomi next comment.

Kokora was surprised at the roar and almost drew her sword, but stopped herself by analyzing the words said by Sayomi. The only thing that caught her eye besides threats was that he said 'The war' and not 'A war'. The scale of perpetration a was becoming clear to her. Upon realizing, her eyes widened and looked at the Sergeant. He felt her gaze on him and looked her way. He gave a quick smile and then returned his gaze forward and dropped the smile.

Jasper kept his straight face and though of the expression that he just saw on Kokora's face. Could she have figured out a piece to the puzzle that he have yet to realize. He did notice how empty of grown men were during the walk through the city. Could he have missed something that Kokora didn't. If they would get out of this alive and with all information needed to complete the puzzle. They would have to compare data. But for now. Survival was just as important as information.

The group continued to follow Sayomi until they arrives at a building. The building was big by only three stories and have many windows. At the doors there was two guards. Sayomi waved them away and they opened the doors all the way. The Sayomi turned and gave a smile before beckoning the group in. All the detachment looked at each other then at Sergeant Jasper. Jasper gave a sigh. "Men. Stay out here with Private Oscar. Corporal Kokora. Come with me." Jasper ordered his men before walking into the building. "Yes Sergeant!" The men stood up straight and slapped there hands to their side. Private just watched the Sergeant and Corporal disappear as the doors closed. The slamming of the doors sent a chill down Oscar's spine.