Genesis : Knights of Salvation Series
Chapter 13: General Stone pt. 2

We ride in a row down the dirt road usually traversed by the Overwatch division, specially chosen to watch, guard, and protect the walls. As we turn around a large rotting dark brown barn the full view of the gate and the chain-link fenced-in military base securing it. While the wall spans about a hundred miles high and spans millions of miles, the six-foot thick gate door stands around 10 feet tall and wide. Two large wooden wheels anchored to the wall on both sides of the gate served as the only mechanism to open and close the gate. Four guards stand watch on the gate next to the wheels. The Overwatch guards wear dark red uniform military uniforms with the government’s phoenix symbol on the shoulders.

The Base isn’t the largest, just big enough to hold the barrack’s painted tan and two stories. The only other building is that of the officer’s office on the opposite side of the small base. Close to the gate is a small fence with our 7 horses. In the middle of the base, a large flag pole stands sporting the government’s flag. When riding up to the base’s entry security point, A guard approaches Enyo and the two have a quiet conversation. After a few moments of talking the board keeping people out is lifted by the guard allowing us entry.

The building is old and run down the tan painted wood cracking slightly. The farther in we ride the more of the camp I’m able to see as the camp is shaped in a crescent moon shape. A large standing flag pole in the middle of the camp with an ever-shifting flag waving. The flag for the walls isn’t far different from the old lands. The flag has a blue box in the top right corner of the flag but with a white red phoenix placed in it. The bottom half of the flag is blue the top half white.

As we approach the stables beside the office I finally catch sight of the person I’ve been looking for. My eyes fall on my uncle standing next to the flag pole speaking with the base captain. My uncle’s tall with dark brown short hair. His military uniform was a dark green, still the same as the old land. His brown eyes and tan skin show just how much time he spends outside on business as his stubble beard covers his face. I couldn’t help but hop in my saddle with the sight of my uncle. No matter how excited I am to see him if but a moment I try to restrain myself, he is a general after all. We ride the horses to the large stable next to the office building. I hope down from my horse my leg’s feeling a little more like jelly than legs.

I turn back around to see my uncle’s eyes land on me from his spot with the base captain. Ignoring Clare’s protest of me wandering off I walk half jog towards my uncle. Just as I reach him he excuses his subordinate, taking a few steps toward me. I slow down unsure how to act while he was in uniform. That is until he gives me that warm fatherly smile, causing his eyes to slightly wrinkle with his age. I bounce on my feet, my arms circling around his neck not caring about onlookers. He seems a bit taken aback for a slight moment when he hugs me warmly. The familiar warm feeling from his secure hug seemed to put me at an ease I didn’t know I needed.

I finally let go falling from my tiptoes as a large smile sits on my face. When I look up at him for a moment he seems so young. His large smile is still on his face just as mine is. “I missed you uncle!” I say happily.

“I’m glad to see your healthy little one.” He says warmly his rough voice all too familiar.

“Clare said you are here to see us off,” I say tucking my arm in his as we walk to the rest of the team that has wandered near the horses, Enyo’s speaking with the base captain as the others check their horses. From this distance I can see Clare fiddle with her horse and move to the one next to it, fiddling with it too.

“Are you sure you wish to go through with this endeavor?” My uncle asks calmly looking toward the team as we slowly walk. I breathe in knowing full well, even if I didn’t want to, I have no choice.

“I’m not sure, but I know if I don’t...I have no hope. I’m not willing to give up so easily.” I say honestly. My uncle is the only one I’ve always been truly honest with.

“You wouldn’t be my niece if you did.” He laughs out warmly.

Just then we arrive at the rest of the group, my uncle not letting go of my arm tucked into his. The moment Orion sees us he does the usual sound making the rest of the team stand at attention. I still find it odd to see my uncle treated as if he had so much power. To them he’s the general, to me he’s the uncle who raised me. My uncle looks at me with a sweet smile and back to the team.

“At ease.” He says carelessly. Enyo step’s forward to my uncle extending his hand to the general. My uncle shakes his hand firmly.

“How’s the team this morning?” He asks Enyo. Enyo speaks firmly and strongly but his eyes still had a hint of irritation.

“They’re warmed and ready for the mission, sir.” He speaks up. His eyes stay on my uncle, not even sparing me a glance. For some reason that upset me, I can’t think of why.

“I’m glad, my niece is very important to me. Her life is in your hands, I expect her to come back better than when she leaves.” He says, warming my heart at his words.

“ The team and I will protect her with our lives, sir.” He says immediately back. Their lives, protect me with their lives. No matter how loving my uncle is to me, I don’t think he sees the reality. I’m not worth one of their lives, let alone all of them.

“Good, Captain Hawkins. I’m glad she is in your hands.” He smiles fondly looking down at me. The rest of the team was still standing waiting for anything else the general may want. I could feel their eyes watching me but at this moment I didn’t care.

“Now little one, I received a letter from your father this morning read it when you have the proper time.” He says his spare hand tucking into his uniform jacket. He pulls out a letter with the presidential insignia. I force a smile onto my face more for onlookers than anything. I hesitantly grab the letter slipping it into my pack. “Thank you uncle, give my regards to father. “I say pleasantly as cordial as I can. My uncle nods happily.

“Oh! Your weapon has been placed on your horse, made exactly to your specifications, little one. I was sure to keep that to myself while speaking with your father.” He laughs out lightly. My uncle and father fought all the time about me learning to defend myself. A guard steps next to Enyo saluting and speaking up. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (ꜰind)ɴʘvel.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

“Departure is in two minutes.” He says leaving immediately. We all nod, and without a thought, I lift onto my toes giving him a tight hug again. I force back the tears hoping they don’t fall. I loved my uncle more than anything, he raised me after the incident. He’s one reason I’m doing this. The thought of getting him sick or turning him into one of those monsters terrified me. At that moment I make myself a promise I don’t want to keep but will if it came to it. If we don’t find what we need at ground zero, then I won’t be coming back. Doing so would only mean putting him and everyone in the wall in danger. I won’t return unless I have what I need, even if I need to take my life myself.

I finally let go of my uncle, surprised to see a small tear falling from his face. He knew what this mission meant. He knows if I can’t find what I need he would have to lose the child he raised. I say my last goodbyes to my uncle, turning and heading towards the horses.

“Your horse is the dark brown thoroughbred.” She says nodding her head to the horse saddled next to her black one. I head to my horse, she’s a dark brown with white speckles on its behind. Her main and tail are both black. The horse was saddled with bags and pouches buckled onto the saddle. My bed roll and other needed amenities for the trip, my eyes catch the slight shine of my recurve bow buckled onto the packs. A large quiver with arrows sat next to it. I grab one of the arrows, the sun glistening off the extremely sharp arrowhead. The arrow is made of complete titanium giving it a clean and deadly glisten.

I had asked my uncle for arrows that are sharp as can be, some with tether’s on the end for me to pull them back when needed. We were told to have multiple weapons so both me and Clare have long titanium machetes. The thing is, for reasons to make sure we are prepared for anything... like me losing control both Clare and I have a small pistol tucked into a pouch that the rest of the team hasn’t been told about.

“Aspen!” I hear Talon call me pulling my attention away from my horse and to talon standing a few feet behind me. He wears the same uniform as me and Clare but his shirt seems far tighter with his large arms.

“Yes?”

“ We’ll be heading out in a minute, you will be riding behind Clare. The moment the gate opens you’ll need to move fast, there’s more of those beasts out today than usual.” He inform me, making sure I was ready for what is about to happen. Talon is usually light-hearted and full of confidence but at this moment he looked so somber. I nod my head understanding why. If what he says is true, there will be a lot of forsaken wanting to get a bite at us. The gear we are wearing will protect us but it’s best to not test it.

“Alright, everyone to the gate.” Enyo orders. I climb onto my thoroughbred horse leading her towards the gate. As we ride and get in order in front of the gate I look back once again trying to remember my uncle’s face as we line up our horses. I unbuckle my bow putting that and the quiver on my back, my machete ready in hand as everyone else does the same.

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