The tent went silent. A heartbeat could be heard. Even the usually vocal Hadalvi froze. Zinn was similarly motionless. I reviewed their faces, looking for the first crack.

“Commanders, let us consider our mission here. Tread carefully onto the battlefield and hold fast the leash on the dogs of war.” I stood back from the table and resigned again to pace.

“The King sends us out here, with our machine of death, for what end? To slaughter our starving neighbors?”

“No General, to protect our citizens-” Finally Hadalvi broke.

“Silence! That is rubbish and you know it! Zorin, that court viper has whispered poison into our King’s ear. I have seen it myself.” I was now sliding down toward the cliff of treason. "These barbarians are guilty of one thing, and one thing only, being born next to the great kingdom of Ardentus. Time to freefall. “Is it the great sin of prosperity not to share?”

Those words jammed themselves into my cohort’s souls and force them to stand straight.

“No one will die today.”