You frowned.

"What is this supposed to be?", you asked and glanced at the general.

"A camp.", he answered.

A sigh escaped your lips.

"My eyes work just fine. But I would like to know the details. Surely all this wasn't build to see me die."

Again, a reserved smirk appeared on his lips and he shook his head.

With his hands behind his back he walked along the top of the hill to guide you to a place where the two of you had a perfect view of the entire camp, all the way up to the biggest tent right in the heart of it.

A huge sun decorated the flags that danced with the wind while the smell of burned herbs rose into the sky in pillars of smoke.

You crossed your arms in front of your chest.

"It seems the emperor wants to go to war.", you noted and checked Morvran's reaction from the corner of your eyes.

He nodded.

"Your mind is sharp. I must say the first time I agreed to help you I was hesitant. But now I see I didn't make a mistake at all."

Your eyes narrowed.

"But the emperor did."

"Not at all."

"So he does want to go to war."

"Indeed.", he turned to take a glance at the scenery himself.

The group of guards that had escorted you rode into the camp.

"Against who?", you asked and returned your attention back to the huge tent.

At the thought of the emperor appearing any moment, coming from the tent with those harsh eyes of his, send shivers down your spine.

Next to you, the general took a deep breath. Just the way he did it gave away that it was a sensitive topic.

Taking a breath to calm your nerves, you dismissed your previous question with a wave of your hand.

"Keep your military secrets if you must.", you took a step towards the edge of the hill. "But at least tell me what's my purpose here. If it's not getting my head chopped off."

A nod made the rusty hair of his bounce. The soft, cold wind took some of the strands and made them dance around his face.

There was no denying that the general was a man with a handsome face and appealing appearance.

Yet you couldn't help but compare him to the emperor.

His hair wasn't as raven black, nor did it show signs of age by turning grey at the sides.

Obviously the emperor was older than the general by a good few winters, if not decades. And yet you found him a lot more appealing.

He creeped through the back of your mind at all times, like a faint memory. Or perhaps a secret desire.

Taken aback by that thought, you pulled a face and shook yourself.

"Are you alright?", Voorhis asked.

Quickly, you nodded.

"The wind from across the sea is quite cold, isn't it?", you asked with a thin smile and wrapped your cloak tighter around your tense shoulders. "Anyways. Please answer my question."

He lowered his head and once again made it seem like he tried to bow to you.

At that point it started to be a bit unsettling to you.

Why would he act like you were about as mighty as the emperor himself?

After all, general Morvran Voorhis was a noble of high rank himself. He had no reason to bow to you. Not even out of politeness.

"Right.", he cleared his throat and returned his gaze to the large tent. "The emperor has ordered for you to lead a secret operation against the rebels in the north."

"We're this far from the empire already?"

"Not quite.", he pointed towards the thin landslide that was still visible at the edge of the horizon. "That's where the land of Velen starts."

"And would you be kind enough to explain why the emperor decided to betroth me with military power?"

A thin smile appeared on the general's face.

"Well...", he had to take a breath to make sure he wouldn't say things he'd regret later on. "Our nightly trip turned out to be quite the success. The ones we took prisoners testified against the merchant who happened to be a provider of the rebels."

"And he gave away their location to safe his own ass."

"That's... one way to put it."

Now you couldn't help but almost chuckle with amusement.

"I can't believe it...", you huffed and closed your eyes in relief. "Well... but that still doesn't explain why I'm made first in command. You're a general."

"I must apologies, but I don't know anything more than you. All I know is that the emperor gave his orders."

"And you follow them. Like the loyal man that you are.", with a soft expression, you gave him a firm but friendly pat to the shoulder. "Rest assured I am glad to have you by my side. I'm not skilled in warfare."

He bowed his head once again, making you frown in confusion and worry in response.

"I will give my very best to support you.", Morvran said. "Let me show you around camp. It's wise to know what recourses you have available before going into battle."

You nodded.

"Wise words. Lead the way."

With your chin held high and your shoulders pulled back, you walked amongst the camp ground while your eyes jumped from tent to tent in such a restless manner that even the soldiers seemed to catch a hint of your unsettled state of mind.

General Voorhis walked you through the most important parts of the camp, from the artillery to the riders and the poor souls who had ended up as walking soldiers.

It seemed that a decent amount of manpower could be found in this camp.

A little much, you thought for a fight against simple rebels.

Yet again, it didn't surprise you since the emperor preferred to be overly clean and leave no crumbs than rather regret it mere days after.

"Enter first.", the general stopped in front of the largest tent and bowed his head. "I'll watch your back."