Sickle's Dilemma

"General!" a burly man said.

"Yes Major Paxton," The general said coolly

"They've taken the hill! Our men have tried to recapture it, but they keep gunning us down."

"Bastards," The General muttered before ordering commands to major Paxton "Go to Colonel Sallas and tell him to direct all artillery at that hill."

"Yes, at once, Sir!" Paxton said, then marched off quickly to relay the General's order.

General Sickle brooded in his tent. The map of the terrain sprawled over a table. Every troop position and possible enemy position was marked on the map. Arrows were drawn out to show where each squad, company, and regiment should go in order to secure a victory. Now there was a wrench in his plans. The hill which he quickly took over last night was essential to his plans. There he would move the artillery there so they could shell the enemy with precision. Now they would have to fight there way to top if they wanted to take advantage of that precious position.

General Sickle walked anxiously around his tent. He stopped to take down a shot of rum. In times of crisis alcohol had been very good at keeping him calm. He gulped down the rum realizing something on the map. He knew that the hill was important, but he remembered that it was also very isolated from the rest of the terrain due to its height. If the enemy was distracted fighting his artillery he could move other troops forward. It seemed cowardly to use his artillery as fodder, but he knew that they were brave well-trained men, who would fight like hell if it meant their victory.

General Sickle was redrawing troop positions on the map with haste, when Captain Smith came walking in. He was a thin, but built man with a slash on his right cheek given by the enemy's bayonet along time ago. His black hair glistened in the sun. It was as short as General Sickle's but less spiky.

"Captain what are you doing in here?"

"General the woods and river have been secured," Captain Smith said panting. His hand was bandaged due to the hard fighting he'd been doing over the months.

"Excellent work Captain. Maintain that position. There are going to be a few changes in the plan."

"Sir yes Sir!" Captain Smith said. "I tell you General those bastards fight like hell we've lost twenty men in trying to take that area. Where is the artillery support from the hill we were suppose to get?"

General Sickle was hesitant to answer him. He was a lower ranking officer, but he did deserve answers.

"Captain Smith we have lost the hill. Colonel Sallas is going to take the artillery and try to take it back."

"What impossible," Captain Smith said with shock. "Well that explains a lot. Sir what are we going to do?"

"Don't worry Captain I've got a plan for that. You and your men just maintain position until you see our cavalry."

Captain Smith gave a giddy smile. He knew General Sickle loved cavalry. Tales had spread through each soldier's lips of the glorious battles won by his horde of armed stallions.

"Of course sir. It will be done," He said, rushing back to his men.

General Sickle returned to looking at his map. Once everything was complete, his picked up his sword strapped it to his waste, put on his helmet, strapped on his pistols and marched out of his tent.

In front of him stood men who were rushed back from the battle field to receive medical treatment, scouts, messengers and more importantly the cavalry. He called a messenger walking.

"You there send this message to Colonel Duncan," He barked

"Yes sir. What is it sir?"

"Tell him to move his infantry cross the river to the area with open field and bushes."

"Yes sir. I'll do it at once," The messenger said as he quickly left to deliver the message.

General Sickle new that was a dangerous move. To cross the river into that part they would have to march north past the hill. Now that the enemy controlled it, they could easily pop of his soldiers. However, General Sickle knew that their sacrifice would repay itself with more enemy troops dead than any killed from the hill. Still it didn't feel right.

Walking towards his horse he looked at some of his injured men. Some had bandages wrapping bullet wounds. They waited outside medical tents while those who were more injured were taken care of. While most had agony on their face, a few were in high spirits, grateful that they escaped death's claws. Jokes were told, some asked for food or drink from the medics, while others kept to themselves. However, they all looked at General Sickle as he walked past. They still have him respect, knowing that he had an ace always up his sleeve.

One injured man hobbled over to the General.

"Sir is the legendary cavalry going to ride in?"

General Sickle gave a small smile. He knew that once the cavalry moved into action, this battle would be over, but doubt always crept in his mind.

"Don't worry soldier. Reinforcements are coming."

"Ah, that's good sir. Those fuckers nearly cut my throat. Hope you give them hell."

"I will. I see you have a bandage wrapped around your arm. Do feel ok," General Sickle said trying to change the subject.

"Well it hurts more than this morning, but I'll make it on. To be honest sir, there are men who suffered worse than me."

"Good then you rest up. This will be all over today."

"Will do sir," The soldier said walking off back to his buddies.

General Sickle continued to walk on when he came across a young private curled next to the medic tent. Sickle noticed this private more of a boy than a man. He knew the youth sometimes lied about their age to taste glory, but he never thought he would come to one face to face. The young private didn't notice General Sickle, he was still wailing from the pain. Bits of shells from the enemy's artillery had chewed up his soft naïve face. The medics wouldn't see him since there were men with life threatening wounds to be taken care of, but they did take out the shell pieces and stop the bleeding. However, the pain and horror took it's effect of the young private, all he could was cry. General Sickle sat next to him, startling, but comforting the young private.

"S-s-sir."

"It's ok private no need to be startled. So how does war taste."

The private didn't respond immediately. He knew that Sickle knew he lied to enlist in the army.

"It's ok Private. Sometimes you have to learn things the hard way."

"It going well sir, then explosions came out of nowhere," The private said trying not to sob. "I saw the cannons, then the ground came up some feet away from me. Then my face was in pain."

General Sickle didn't say anything. Too many times he had close encounters with the bombardment of the artillery. One time he had been nicked on his right arm, but nothing compared to what this young private was inflicted with.

"My family and neighbors are going to be shocked when they see me. Oh it was a mistake to enlist."

"Then why did you join in the first place," General Sickle asked sternly.

"Sir I wanted to help beat the enemy. They're savages sir. At least that's what everyone says."

"You're not wrong private." Sickle said softly.

What the private said was true. The enemy were savages. They conquered multiple lands, raping and pillaging the locals. Forcing them to worships their leaders and their ideology. All General Sickle's country wanted to do was free them. It might be years before the enemy gained the strength and courage to invade his own, but his leaders decided that they should nip these savage conquerors in the bud.

"Sir will they stopped."

"Yes they will private," General Sickle said standing up proudly. "Now you rest up I have some men to rally."

The young private didn't know what General Sickle was talking about, but later veterans troops would tell him about the legendary cavalry led by Sickle.

General Sickle reached his horse. The black destrier was tied up to post, eating the grass as the battle raged. The private standing guard over the horse quickly untied it knowing General Sickle was about to ride the horse.

"Thank you private you are relieved," Sickle said. The private saluted back and hurried off.

"There, there, Butch. Whose ready to send more men to their graves." Sickle said stroking the horse.

Sickle and Butch had been fighting together for over fifteen years, back when he was a captain of a medium sized company. Together they both slew all who have faced them over the years without fear. Even in old age Butch still rode into battle like he was a young colt. Today was no different, he and his rider were going off together again.

The horse whinnied and stomped its feet, eager for the fight. Sickle calmed the horse down, then saddled up. Along with his sword and pistol a lance was attached to the saddle. General Sickle loved to use the lance in early stages of a charge. It helped kill enemy troops before they could fight back, then in later stages of the fight he would hurl it to spear them when they retreated. Sickle had lost so many lances in battle that other troops bragged they own one of them.

Once he saddled on to Butch, Sickle rode off to meet the rest of the cavalry. He arrived to greet at least 1,000 men all on horseback. Armed just like General Sickle, ready to fight. When he arrived the all saluted him ready to hear his order. They were a special battalion that only took orders from the general. Sickle's peers thought this battalion was dangerous because it could be used to do Sickle's dirty work. What they didn't consider was that Sickle was not a power-hungry man. Maybe in his early life he was, but the years of service made realize that order kept things peaceful in the world. If he used his cavalry to gain power, then he knew he would create chaos and be no different than the enemy his country fought right now.

This special battalion knew this when joining it. All of them were loyal to Sickle's ideals and anyone who wished differently was kicked out. Standing at attention they knew whatever order the general barked, they would follow it steadfast.

"Gentlemen I know you have been anxious to fight, while our comrades have been struggling all day. Now, you will get that chance."

They all cheered, ready to follow him. The thundering of horses hooves hitting the ground echoed through the camp. The wounded cheered them on as they raced by them. General Sickle looked at the hill that was once his. Even though it was in distance he could see the men on top dodging the bombardment of cannon shells.

"Good Sallas is doing his job," He muttered.

General Sickle and his cavalry came to the river. In front of them laid the corpses of fallen soldiers. Some were of the enemy, some were of his. In the distance he could here Colonel Duncan and his forces fighting tooth and nail with the enemy.

"Must have drawn them to move further north," Sickle muttered. He knew this could be a great opportunity to launch a surprise attack while the enemy was focused on fighting Colonel Duncan.

"Follow me!" he ordered his men.

The cavalry galloped toward the fighting. Enemy was so focused on the fight, they didn't notice the charge of horsemen coming at them. By the time they did it was too late, General Sickle and his men were on to of them. Swords and lances came down on the panicked enemy. One by one they fell. Many tried to flee, but General Sickle ordered his men to surround them. The trapped enemy put up a last stand, but it was hopeless.

One soldier fired at General Sickle as he barked out orders. The bullet missed. Sickle caught the man through the corner of his eye. He retaliated by charging at the enemy soldier, cutting his head off with sword. Once the last man was killed a great howler came from Duncan's brigade. They had been fighting tooth and nail with the enemy for so long that they didn't know if they could beat them. The General's surprise attack gave them the relief they had been hoping for. Many soldiers were dancing and hopping, but stopped when the General looked back at them sternly. They knew that the battle was not over and that it was too early to celebrate.

Colonel Duncan marched up to Sickle. Blood stained his shoulder and most of his pants. Sickles smirked. When Colonel Duncan left to fight he looked more like a man ready to attend a ball than a warzone. However Sickle knew that the Colonel never liked the fancy uniforms officers were given. The uniform being dirty and tatty fit his style more. Colonel Duncan was a rough hardnosed man, who take you into the mud if that meant he could beat you. That is why General Sickle loved that Duncan is under his command. He could get the most scared soldier to fight to their last breath, because his whole upbringing and service was that.

"General glad to have that surprise attack from you."

"Always a pleasure Colonel. How many are wounded or dead."

"Well at least a hundred were killed from the hill. But I guess once Sallas started firing his lovely cannons at them they eased up a little. However, most of us have wounds all over the place including myself," the Colonel said pointing to his shoulder.

"Do you need medical attention?"

"No sir, I have taken worse. I told you about the time my balls almost got shot off when I was just a sergeant. Hit my outer groin, but that's better than losing the precious ones."

"Got it Colonel. So does anyone else need medical attention, or are they ready to move forward?"

"Sir usually it would be hard to rally the troops after the ordeal they went through. However with your s-s-superb cavalry fighting alongside us, I think we could rally."

"Very well then Colonel rally them." Sickle said. He trotted off to his cavalry.

General Sickle loved having Colonel Duncan under his command, but he always forgot that the Colonel was brash with the balls to jest those in charge. While other Generals would not have made Duncan higher than a captain—and that was being generous—Sickle promoted him higher because he knew he needed someone like Duncan to rally the troops during hard times. Still he wished Colonel Duncan didn't always find words to mock his cavalry. He knew the Colonel didn't by into the whole mythos that surrounded Sickles' cavalry, but at least respect that they have bailed out many including Duncan from perilous situations.

Sickle pulled out his telescope to see what was going on the hill. He saw a white flag and the uniforms of his forces on top.

"Good Sallas did his job."

"Oi, Charles come here."

The private of his cavalry rode over.

"Yes sir."

"Go to Major Paxton's position and tell him to move forward."

"At once sir." The private said riding off.

"Well sir it looks like you are going to make an all-out attack." Colonel Duncan said from behind.

"Yes Colonel. Are your men ready?"

"Sir many of them are wounded in places that would make it hard to keep up with your horse force."

"Very well then Colonel send those who you think can't keep up to head toward the hill. Sallas has taken it and I need men to guard it well this time." Sickle said a little annoyed. "I'll send a messenger to tell some of the medics to head there to treat your men."

"Will do sir. Might I add that Butch looks well sir." The Colonel said before heading off.

Sickle didn't respond. He knew that with most of Duncan's men gone and only Paxton's forces as back up, his cavalry would be doing most of the fighting. They were going to be taking a town held by the enemy. He would prefer the infantry men fighting in close spaces, however he had taught his battalion how to fight without their horses. Still he didn't like this wild change in plans.

"Men move!" he ordered.

His cavalry and what was left of Duncan's regiment moved forward. They were going to a town a few miles away where the enemy's army was stationed. General Sickle heard from his scouts what the enemy was doing to the locals. Taking all of their food, using some as slave labor, mistreatment of anyone they wanted to, plus desecration of sacred beliefs. It always made his stomach twist every time he heard it. These weren't men like him. They were animals dressed in fancy clothes, barbarians who masqueraded as gentlemen, yet believed they had the same global power and influence as Sickle's country.

He didn't know what would push the enemy to go back into the caves they belonged. How many battles had he and his fellow countrymen won against them? How many ships of theirs had his country navy sank to Davy Jones' Locker? Yet they still kept coming, like rapid dogs. Eventually General Sickle and other members of the military realized that they would have to become as barbaric if they wanted to beat this enemy. Still he wondered how much of his soul and the men he commanded soul's would be tainted in their quest for victory.

He remembered what the young private said, and what other locals said when he freed them. All of them called the enemy savages. If a majority of people were calling them this, then this war against them should be justified? Surely the way they fought them was justified? So why did always feel like every battle was a struggle physically and morally?

General Sickle remembered when he was a young captain, they had sent him off to fight the Toroque people in the southern lands. A hot arid place where the people there rode horses that moved fast as the wind. His country was there to stop the slave trade the Toroque people were dealing in. He remembered how easily they surrendered when their bows, and primitive swords and spears were easily crush by guns and steel swords. It took one battle and they were bitter about losing, but they understood that things were going to change. Eventually they excepted the change. The enemy General Sickle fought were not like the Toroque people. How determined they were maintaining their ways even after defeat after defeat.

"Ready to stomach whatever they have for us, General," Colonel Duncan said riding up to Sickle.

He was on his pony Luis. A stocky pony a perfect match for the stocky Colonel. Sickle didn't know how it kept up with horses, probably it a had massive chip that kept it going. Luis was younger than Butch, but fought like it had the same experience as the destrier. Its small size helped it avoid the flying of bullets, while allowing Duncan to maneuver it in between soldiers to slash them with his sword.

"It amazes me how many people call them savages and yet they continue their way," Sickle said.

"Trust me Colonel, I think most are like them. These guys just made a giant empire, while the rest wander aimlessly through society."

Sickle knew that Duncan came from a rough part of his country. Where you had to be quick on your feet and show know signs of weakness. Always trying to survive, where the next meal came, when the bills needed to be paid. Sickle didn't like that his country still had these problems and yet they called the enemy savages, including himself. It was hypocritical, however men from Duncan's upbringing didn't commit the atrocities the enemy did. They still had morals while the enemy had none.

"Don't sell yourself short," Sickle said riding off. Colonel Duncan didn't respond. He knew what the General said, perhaps he judged his upbringing to harshly.

"Sir I see Paxton's forces," A member of the cavalry said to Sickle.

"Ah good. Men it's time to combine forces!" he shouted.

Duncan's forces, Sickle's cavalry and Paxton's forces united heading towards the town. Moving forward men from each force conversed. Telling stories about themselves, and the struggles they had encountered. Duncan's and Paxton's were always in awe of Sickle's cavalry. Hearing all of the unheard skirmishes and battles they had fought in excited them. Their legend made them believe that victory was near.

"General I always knew we could count on your cavalry to come through," Captain Smith said with glee.

"Thank you, Captain. I hope the men are ready."

"Yes sir. We are ready for anything now that those horses of yours are here."

"Good I hope you are ready for what's in front of us." Sickle said giving the captain his telescope.

Captain Smith looked through it to see a strong contingent of the enemy's forces holding the town. A trench surrounded it, soldiers rooted in ready to shoot. Behind them cavalry a battalion the size Sickles. Artillery flanked the sides of the town ready to pound anything that came to close.

"U-uh," Captain Smith gulped.

"Don't worry Captain we are still out of range of their bullets. But I'm going to send a messenger to tell Colonel Sallas to fire upon them from the hill. Once I believed that enough damage has been done I am going to raise our countries flag so Sallas knows to stop firing. Then we attack,"

"Of c-course s-sir," Smith said still scared by what laid in front of him.

Sickle signaled everyone to halt and ready to charge. He gave orders telling when they would go. He hoped once Sallas did enough damage with the artillery it would allow them to move in. The cannons were long ranged one so, hitting the town would be easy. That is why Sickle picked that hill. It was so high up that you could launch shells with ease.

"So we wait now General," Duncan asked.

"Yep."

"How much of a buffer will Sallas give us?"

"Enough to cause disorder among their ranks."

"That's probably the best we can hope for."

"Well Colonel do you see any way of beating them?"

"No sir. That trench is there to distract us while holding us down. Meanwhile the artillery on both sides will rips us to bits as we can't do anything to get away. And if that doesn't kill us a horde of horsemen are ready to charge at us and kill us in the panic," Duncan said. "The best we can hope for is disorder among the ranks."

"Well stay put. Keep men moral up and hope Sallas does his job," Sickle said.

"At once sir," Duncan said riding off.

Sickle stared at the army awaiting in front of him. Through his telescope he could see more about them. They were stone cold, ready to kill anything that came in the range of their guns. He could see the innards of the town; desolate, no signs of anyone hiding or anyone besides the enemy army staying there.

"They couldn't have killed everyone," He thought. "My scouts had reported that there were civilians in this town."

If that was true then it would be a waste to attack head on. He would lose troops that he needed for later battles. Sickle came up with a quick first-draft back up plan. He would move his troops around the town then have guerrilla soldiers slowly pick off the enemy. However, he believed if isolated eventually more troops from his country would come through and knock off the weakened less manned army, or hope that he won enough later battles forcing them to surrender. The first sounded more realistic than the second based on what Sickle knew about the enemy's style of fighting. He had to know the town's civilians were gone for the plan to work.

"Major Paxton do you having anyone with good scouting ability in your ranks," he called.

Rushing over the Major replied. "We do have this man who was an expert hunter before joining the army. I heard he even was hired by some wealthy folks to hunt game for them."

"Sounds good bring him over."

"At once sir."

While General Sickle waited, Colonel Duncan was chuckling with a big smirk on his face.

"Find something amusing Colonel."

"Sir. I hate to tell you this, but no scout in going to sneak in to that fortified area. Maybe before the fighting started, but not now."

Sickle gave Duncan his telescope and pointed him to the town to show him what he saw.

"You see that Colonel. No sign of any civilians."

"What's your point sir."

"Why waste men if we don't have to fight to free the innocent. Why not let that army starve here isolated as we move forward?"

"Even if that is true sir, Colonel Sallas has probably already been told to fire. By the time we get everything calmed down so that your scout can go in, the enemy is going to be on high alert since they just had cannon fire reign down on them."

General Sickle understood what Duncan was saying. It didn't matter if anyone was in there or not, they were going to attack. Major Paxton came running over with the man he recommended.

"This is private William Hox. Tell the General your skills," Paxton directed.

Sickle looked at Hox. He was a tall thin but slightly built man, with ginger hair and moustache. Sickle didn't know his age but he looked to be in his late twenties.

"General it's an honor to do a special task for you. What do you wish?" he asked bowing.

"Sorry Private, but Colonel Duncan and I had a conversation and has advised me not to go with the plan that involved you. Please return to the rest of your men and thank you for your cooperation."

"O-of course sir." Hox said, that ran back off.

Major Paxton looked at Sickle confused.

"So what do we do now sir?"

"We wait Major."

Suddenly cannon fire roared through the sky. Sickle pulled out his telescope to view where it hit. He looked at the enemy position to see dead men scatter over the trench. The artillery from Sickle's left were hit hard. There cannons were crushed and destroyed as more shells from Colonel Sallas bombarded them.

"Ooh good job Sallas." Sickle said with a smile as he watched Sallas bombardment continued to hit.

With each roar of the cannons and each blast hitting the ground, Sickle saw more and more of the enemy's troops die, while the rest became panicked. The soldiers in the trenches wore diminished to the point of being a non-threat. Sickle knew the survivors were hiding, but he had Duncan and Paxton to finish them off. He really wanted to see what happened to that cavalry that rivaled his in size. He saw that most of them retreated into the town with a few killed by Sallas.

"Duncan you and Paxton are going to kill the stragglers," He ordered then raised his sword to show the troops to prepare to charge.

"Got it sir. What is you and your horsies going to do?"

Sickle looked through his telescope again. He knew he had to fight the enemy cavalry but he saw another obstacle. While the artillery to his left had been decimated, the artillery to the right avoided Sallas bombardment. Even as they watched their fellow soldiers get killed, they stayed put ready for General Sickles attack.

"You go in after us. We got some artillery to take care of."

"Yes sir," Duncan said running off to rally his troops.

Sickle waved his country's flag to signal an attack and to tell Colonel Sallas to halt the firing of the artillery. His cavalry surrounded him ready to follow his next order. He pulled out his sword, pointing it at the town. His special battalion and the rest of the army knew it was time to attack. Colonel Duncan gave orders to the infantry, while Sickle commanded his cavalry to attack the enemy's remaining artillery.

The charged swiftly at enemy artillery. They were ready; cannon balls already stocked in the barrels. They fired at Sickle's charging cavalry, few were killed, but not enough to break them. A fifth of the cavalry split off to flank the enemy artillery from the right. Sickle remained with the rest charging strait into the entrenched artillery.

They hopped over the trench, then hacked and slashed the soldiers controlling the artillery. The members of the cavalry that split off to flank attacked from the back preventing a retreat. As Sickle hacked and slashed the enemy artillery men with his sword he looked over to see how Colonel Duncan was fairing. His men were killing the last of the enemy in the trench, while beginning an assault on the town. The enemy's cavalry did most of the fighting back, using guerrilla warfare and small charges on horseback to hold Duncan and his men from moving forward.

"Crap," Sickle muttered as he chopped an enemy soldier's head off.

"Finish these guys off!" he yelled to his cavalry off.

"Were trying sir," One yelled back. "It'll only take a few minutes longer."

Sickle clenched his teeth. He looked back at Colonel Duncan's men. They were struggling to push through. They had to fall back into the trench to avoid bullets from the enemy. Sickle could see smoke leave the houses windows and his men fire into them. Some bullets came flying at his cavalry.

"Snipers!" he yelled.

His cavalry tried to avoid it, but some were hit. A few died, but most of those hit were injured. Lucky for Sickle the enemy artillery had been defeated. All most were killed and those that fled ran away from the town.

"Gun's out! At the house!" he barked.

His men drew their pistols, the he yelled "Fire!"

The fired at houses—mainly the windows—to hit whoever was inside. General Sickle could here the screams of enemy soldier's being hit by the bullets. He could see Colonel Duncan use this opportunity to rally his men to leave the trenches and attack. Sickle was ready to charge in but something caught his attention.

The enemy had gone back to artillery that had been destroyed by Colonel Sallas. The found the ones that still worked and fired them at Colonel Duncan's attacking force.

"Men let's flank from the left!" he yelled as he watched to cannons take out a good chunk of Duncan's fighting force.

The cavalry rallied and swiftly charged at the artillery. The enemy had little time to react. Most tried to retreat to the safety of the town, those than remained were killed.

"Good there dead." Sickle said as he watched his infantry continue fighting the enemy's guerrilla warfare.

"Charge in." he yelled.

His cavalry poured through the streets, battling the enemy at every turn. Some fought on horseback, some disembarked to fight on foot with the infantry. Some went into the house to kill any enemy soldier in there. Infantry soldiers whooped and hollered, excited to fighting side by side with Sickle's legendary cavalry. Though they had lost a good chunk of there men in the assault, now they believed they could push through. The enemy had no answer to this increase of moral. Many tried to retreat while some tried to put on a last stand. It was futile, General Sickle won. Now it was time to investigate this town for survivors.

Some of the men who gone into the houses said they found towns folk hiding, but they were warring of leaving. Many were afraid that General Sickle's men would treat them like the enemy had treated them. General Sickle commanded them to give them something (chocolate, cigarettes, water, food) to show that they were friendly.

It took time, but eventually the townsfolk came out of hiding. Many of them were thanking the soldiers for freeing them, others were wandering around looking for lost goods, friends or family. Some of the children were in awe of Sickle's cavalry men. They had never seen horses built like theirs', or uniforms or weapons like theirs'. The soldiers that once guarded their town were ill equipped and fought with outdated weapons. To them the cavalry looked like something out of a fairytale.

The rest of Sickle's army arrived. He sent word to Colonel Sallas to move everyone towards the town. The entire corps didn't settle down until sundown. Many in Colonel Duncan's regiment needed medical attention, along with part of Major Paxton's company. While they received aid, General Sickle had some of his cavalry be sentries in case the enemy ever decided to come back. Meanwhile he looked for someone to tell him why the enemy was here. Most of the townsfolk didn't respond or said the enemy were devils who came to torture them. Eventually Captain Smith came with an elderly man named Tomsalio, the de-facto leader, who was eager to talk with General Sickle.

"General here's a man willing to talk," Smith said eagerly.

"Good Tomsalio is it. I heard some of the folk here say talk to you."

"Correct commander of this savior army. We never thought those devils would ever leave, then you and your holy men came and rescued us. We are grateful and though while some are hesitant I will speak on this town's behalf to answer your questions."

Sickle was little stunned by what Tomsalio said. Usually those they freed from the enemy called them savior's but not holy men. In fact during this entire conflict they had done things that made them the opposite of holy men. Sickle noticed that a few of the buildings were destroyed by Sallas bombardment. How many innocent lives were lost in the attempt to break the enemy.

"Well you are welcome. Tomsalio I have freed many town's from these devils, what is special about yours that caught their attention," Sickle asked knowing that the enemy probably took this town because they could if no one attempted to stop them.

"Young man there is a secret treasure in this area. Perhaps you have seen it."

"Sorry I haven't. Captain Smith have you."

"No sir."

"That's a shame. I don't know if I should tell you. You rescued us, but how do I know you won't exploit us like the devils did."

Sickle knew what the elderly man meant. His country knew that some of the places they freed from the enemy were rich in resources. While the high command believed it was immoral to take advantage of areas ravaged by war, that didn't stop some lower rank soldiers from taking small amounts. The ones who were caught were punished and discharged, but some got through cracks. Sickle didn't need this distraction in his army, but he was still curious.

"Captain Smith has my tent been set up?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. Tomsalio I know that you wish to keep your secret, but I have to know. If you would like to talk this in secret my tent would be the best spot."

"I don't know," the hold man said hesitantly.

"You have my trust that I will not tell anyone. High officers have been given command not to exploit the locals freed from the enemy," Sickle said reassuring.

"Very well," Tomsalio finally agreed. "Take me to your tent."

"Captain Smith tell the men, Duncan, Sallas, and Paxton that no one is to enter or be close to my tent until I finish speaking with Tomsalio," he ordered the captain as he walked towards his tent.

"At once sir," Smith responded rushing off.

General Sickle and Tomsalio entered his tent to speak. Sickle offered the old man some treats from his homeland. Tomsalio gladly accepted them then began to speak.

"I'm glad most of you haven't seen what is in the river. The devils tried to take so much from it."

"What's in the river?" Sickle asked.

"Gold."

Sickle didn't speak. Gold right near him. Most town's then enemy exploited had resources such as timber, iron, silver, coal, or agriculture; but gold that was different. Sickle knew why the enemy was interested in the gold; it could enrich their economy, especially since they were in so many wars and conquest. However, Sickle began to think the same thing hearing this news. The gold could pay his men and others soldiers fighting for his country heavily. After beating the enemy they could return wealthier than when they left. This excited Sickle, but his mind told him to remember what the high command agreed to. No exploiting the locals. Still he wanted to know more about this gold.

"How much gold are we talking about?" he inquired,

"Flakes, small pieces that could become coins. They make up the majority of the gold in the river. However full-grown nuggets have been found," Tomsalio answered.

This made Sickle more excited and curious.

"How much gold could they acquire if these devils took it all from you?"

"Young man we are talking about a ton to 3 tons of gold in the river."

Sickle tried to contain his excitement. With that much gold who knows what he and his country could do with it. Hell he could keep this secret to himself and have all the gold to himself. Come back after the war and mine it to his heart content. Still something bothered him about this grand amount of gold.

"Hold on if there is that much gold, then why haven't you folk mined it all?" he inquired.

"We wouldn't dare. Evil spirits lurk around the river. The devils wouldn't believe us—naturally because why would devils be afraid of spirits—so they began to mine a little," Tomsalio said eerily. Like he had seen something in the river.

"Evil spirits in that river," Sickle scoffed, remembering that it was easy to cross. The water looked like it would barely come up to his knees. "I don't think that thing could hold a big fish let alone some big bad thing."

"Ah, well right now the river is low, but when it gets big that's when the gold comes. A roaring torrent that will cover your head bringing lots of the shiny stuff. When it lowers you can get the gold," Tomsalio explained.

Sickle remembered that he had seen slopes along river. He thought they looked weird and that the river had perhaps been dammed. Good thing he attacked at this time. There would have been no way that his corps would have been to cross the river it got as high as Tomsalio said it did.

"I see, but perhaps you folks think the river is dangerous because one or two of you drowned when it was too high, but evil spirits. Come on," Sickle said skeptical.

"I tell you evil swims in the water. I've seen it with my eyes. Beasts longer than three men with sharp teeth ready to pull you in. Ghostly figures wailing ready to make you one of them. Shadowy figures with glowing eyes. All of them call the river their home. That's why we leave the gold alone, so that we do not disturb them."

Sickle understood the old man's uneasiness. Tradition told them to stay away from the river and only use it's water. He was not going to force them to abandon their superstition. However, he didn't believe in such nonsense. Sure there were strange things in this world, but they could be explained. Unnatural beings guarding gold was complete nonsense. The only thing dangerous about that river was that it became high and fast at certain times of the year. Right now it was low, perfect for taking as much gold as you want.

"So, the devils went in to take the gold because they don't fear what lives in the river. Trust me I have fought them multiple times and I don't think anything scares them. I want to know how long they have been here and how much gold they have taken," Sickle inquired.

"They have been here for almost a year. Usually just to move their troops through to fight in whatever areas lay beyond our town. A few months ago they found out about the gold in the river, and begin to force us to give more information. We tried to warn them, but they wouldn't listen. Once the river became low they started mining. I know they are devils, so when the evil spirits find them I know the devils will kill them with ease," Tomsalio explained.

"I don't doubt that," Sickle said. He knew the enemy's tenacity, what could bring fear into their hearts. Even those who retreated today would regroup to fight back until they were killed.

"Then they wanted us to mine the gold, saying they were above it. Most of us resisted afraid of what the spirits of the river would do to us. They didn't listen. When they weren't looking we tossed the gold back into the river to appease the spirits and get some forgiveness. They found out and began to punish us. They made us slaves and tortured us into complying. If you holy men didn't come by and drive them out most of us would be in the river mining for the gold. Oh I how I feared the day I would have to face the wrath of the spirits once they awoken after the river rose," Tomsalio said nervously.

Enslaving and torture, nothing knew Sickle heard about the enemy. However they had gotten gold out of the river, which meant.

"Tomsalio is there gold you folk have mined from the river in this town?"

"Yes. We are going to get rid of it once things have settled down."

Sickle didn't like that. That gold should go back in the river. It should go to him and his men, but mainly him. The lives lost and injured to free this superstitious town. The hoard of wealth that sat next to them, and they did nothing with it. Men gave there lives and now that he knew about the gold why shouldn't it go them. They just freed these backwards thinkers from evil men or devils as they called them. Some gold would be a fair trade.

Sickle then remembered the oath all members of the high command had given. No exploiting of the locals freed from the enemy. If he took this town's big resource would he be any different than the enemy. But this was different. They weren't taking wood or agriculture, things most people needed to survive. They were taking gold. Something that belonged to the glorious enlightened men of his country. His people deserve the wealth more than these superstitious folks, he deserved it more than them.

He wanted to march out, and command Duncan and Sallas to tell the men to start taking the gold, but he couldn't. The oath remained in his head. Why? The gold should be his.

"Thank you for the information Tomsalio. I'll keep this a secret," Sickle said cooling his angry eager mind down.

"Of course and may you holy man beat the devils in later battles," Tomsalio said leaving the tent.

Sickle left the tent, grabbed Butch and rode to the river. Things troubled his mind. Even though he wanted to tell his men about the gold, he couldn't. Maybe there wasn't gold. Was that why he was riding to the river to see if what Tomsalio said was true. He knew it had to be true. The old man showed no sign of lying when he spoke about what laid in the river. His mind when back to deciding what to do about this new information.

All of the plans he had made, but this created a great thorn in them. He was suppose to take the area, defeat the enemy and continue on until he defeated then enemy in the next area. Repeating this until the enemy was defeated for good. Now he had a chance to alter this plan and making himself rich part of it.

Sickle got of Butch and looked at the river. He couldn't see any gold in the water or on the slopes.

"It must be buried well," he said.

He stood there looking at the river. A fortune of wealth was there ready for the taking. It's his, it's his, it's his. His mind would keep repeating that, but his good side would bring him back morally.

General Sickle stayed there as the sun began to set. He could barley see the water. He looked around to see if anything would come and get him like the old man had said. He saw Colonel Duncan riding towards him instead.

"General pleasure to see you. Those horses of yours. Really bailed us out during the assault. Not even good old Luis would have the courage to run into such tight quarters, but your did," Colonel Duncan said.

Sickle didn't respond he was still focused on the river.

"General is something the matter. Usually you are celebrating with us when we beat these savages."

"Sorry Colonel something else is on my mind."

"What troubles you General."

"Colonel do you think our men deserve something for all the fighting we have done against the enemy."

"Well sir, I do believe we will be called heroes when we return home. Plus there will be so many stories of the grueling battles we had against them. Can you think of all the heroic glory we could tell to those back home."

Sickle remained silent then responded.

"That is true Colonel, but don't you think we deserve more?"

"What else could be given?" Duncan asked

"How about wealth beyond our wildest dreams," Sickle said coldly.

"I mean sure. Our rulers back home could pay us a lot for our service, sir. However, sir I don't know if they could give us the kind of money that would make us live lives of luxury until the day we died."

"Don't you think after all the battles we had with this rapid maniac of an enemy we should be given that kind of money."

"In theory, yes General we should. We don't live in a world of theory do we. I'll take all of the money they can give us and enjoy all of the glory I have experienced from victory over this enemy," Duncan said.

"Heh. That is true," Sickle said looking at the river that had become pitch black.

Colonel Duncan lit a small lamp, before speaking.

"Sir you have been looking at that river for a while. What's special about it. I remember it as a nuisance until your horsie horsies came and saved us."

"Colonel, when our dead men were pulled out of the river, did anyone saying anything about what they say in the river?" he asked.

"No sir. Though some said it was a very shiny river. Blinding my eyes it was. Almost could see straight when firing as I crossed."

Sickle smiled. So he was the only one who knew. Though he didn't doubt that a private would eventually catch on and realize he just passed by gold. Perhaps after the war he would come back to get the gold. However, if he died that would be on him, not the General.

"It was pretty shiny, for only being water," Sickle lied.

"You think there is something in it General?" Duncan asked.

"If there is do you think it belongs to us," Sickle asked without any emotion.

"What kind of question is that sir. It belongs to these townsfolk not us sir. We all made that oath. I may be a rough man, but I stick to an oath sir."

Sickle smiled. It was foolish to go after the gold. It didn't belong to him or his country or the enemy. They were good men or holy men as Tomsalio called them. What would a little gold do for them in the end. Men didn't die so that he could exploit some innocent townsfolk for some gold. They died to keep the world free from the enemy. They were devils after all, taking the gold would make his country just like them.

"Good answer Colonel. Sometimes I forget why we are fighting."

"Pleasure to help," Duncan said uneasy. "Are you going to tell me what's in that river?"

"Nothing Colonel. Let's forget and go celebrate. I bet these folks have some good drinks for us," Sickle said as he got onto Butch's back.

Colonel Duncan gave big grin, then got onto Luis.

"Now you are talking General. Oh how are the men having a merry time," Duncan said as the two rode back to the town.

****

Now General Sickle would never admit it was real, but he thought when he looked back one last time at the river he thought he saw a thing with glowing eyes smiling at him with appreciation for his decision.