Faith: Shadow of the Valley

(Part of a continuing series. Previous post here, last post here.)

Jared sighed, leaning over a map. He felt very weary. Some of it was physical; he'd spent much of the day on patrol with his men, many of whom were older than him, searching for Intaki survivors. Most of the time, he found nothing. Most of those remaining weren't warriors - just scattered noncombatants, left over from the destruction of the better part of their tribe in Thera's first victory.

The problem was that they were causing trouble - raiding for food, burning small buildings, poisoning wells. The small garrison sent to the valley had been unable to deal with them. So Jared was sent to command the post, in the hopes that his talents might be better applied to unconventional warfare than the pitched battles (and massacres) of the main Beckoner force.

Some of the soldiers grumbled about having a boy set over them- favored, they said, because he was Sworn years ago to Thera. Jared asked nothing of them that he would not do himself, though, and while he might be favoured by their commander, he did display a talent for tactics and arms. Within two weeks time, those under his command had largely ceased complaining - no more than most soldiers do, at any rate.

A rustling announced a visitor to Jared's hut. "Enter," he said, not looking up. He knew who it was.

"Your plan isn't working. Sir," said the visitor.

"You can't say that, Lar," Jared said. "I've only been trying it for a week. In that time, we've had two converts. That's more than anyone has gotten anywhere else."

"One of those converts has run for the hills since," Lar said dubiously, "And the other one doesn't look too steady on the faith. And while we tried to get converts with a show of food and declaration of mercy, we've lost a full pantry to thieves. And Jena got a wound to the shoulder that looks to be festering."

"I didn't know it had gone bad," Jared said.

There was a silence.

"Look-" Lar broke out.

"No." Jared told him. "We keep trying my plan. These people are starving. There are too many of them and very little food. If we control the food, we can control them. And once we have them, we can convert them to the true faith, and the problem will be solved without killing."

"I know your views on killing women and children," Lar sneered. "But how does that fit with your starving them to death? What if they die, Jared? What if they die?"

Jared grimaced. "I don't like it. But that'll... that'll be their choice. Not our fault."

"A mighty thin line," Lar said, following it with a tardy 'sir'. "Frankly, I say they've already made their choice," he continued. "They're not Beckoners now, they'll never be Beckoners... not really. Let's just kill 'em now, put 'em out of their suffering. It's the merciful thing to do. And you know how strongly I feel about mercy."

"I do," Jared agreed. "I've only known you since Thera sent you with me to guide me to the valley, and already I know your idea of 'mercy' far better than I ever want to. Get out of here," he gestured, momentarily animated. "Out! In the morning, we'll continue the patrols."

Jared rubbed his eyes; then he blew out the candle beside him and rolled over. "It's not that bad," he told himself. "Everything will look better by morning's light. And no matter what - I won't rely on Lar's mercy."