This story is part of the Wanderer series.
The general angrily slammed the palm of one hand against the table, startling the two message bearers in front of him as he expelled a curt bellow of displeasure.
“What is the divine princess’s intent, destroying city after city?!”
The colonels around the room stared at their general with unease, coming to attention as he gesticulated towards them.
“Order the princess to halt her advance and return to the capital immediately to explain her actions!”
On the right side desk closest to the general’s, the gray-haired colonel stationed there was the first to reply, in a steady tone. “My general… We do not have the authority to issue such an order.”
“Then issue an advisory to the emperor!” he escalated. “Implore him to recall the princess!”
This suggestion drew even more alarm amongst the men in the room.
“Sir…” the left-side colonel closest to the general now spoke up. “Are you sure it is wise? The princess is an extension of the great emperor. Her will is the emperor’s.”
“They are kin, but they are separate beings. They can agree, and they can differ.”
Still, the colonel retained an uncertain expression.
“The great emperor is wise. He will understand: Decimating strongholds and massacring hundreds of subjects isn’t victory. It is incompetence!”
The gray-haired man glanced uncomfortably towards one of the dark corners of the room, looking for a ghost.
“These strongholds aren’t barricades. They’re footholds!”
“My general, I implore you: ease your tongue. These are hallowed chambers.”