The meeting soon ended and the deep darkness of night blanketed the camp. Silence reigned as most of the group went to sleep.0

"At your age, you should be sleeping to grow taller, Commander. If you miss your sleeping hours, you won't get any taller, you know?" Kerra grumbled, his face filled with dissatisfaction as he was dragged outside by Caron.0

They were back in the wide clearing where they had shared drinks earlier. Tonight, the moon shone exceptionally bright. Thanks to Kerra's earlier work of clearing the surrounding trees, the brilliant moonlight illuminated the clearing in its entirety.0

"I'm already taller than you," Caron retorted flatly.0

"Can't argue with facts, can I?" Kerra shrugged.0

"That's enough. Did you bring your sword?" Caron asked.0

"Of course," Kerra replied, nodding as he gave his scabbard a light shake. He asked with a smirk, "Are you planning to dance with swords under the moonlight or something?"1

"Something like that," Caron said, flashing a sly grin as he glanced at Kerra.0

Kerra couldn't help but recall Caron's earlier brutal suggestion.0

—"We just need to instill fear. Make them think, 'If I set foot here again, I'm dead.' Plus, if we add the name of the Ducal Family of Leston to the mix… It'll be over."0

The first time Kerra had heard those words, he'd thought that it was such a Commander thing to say.0

Fifty years ago, when Cain was the commander of the Imperial Guards, he'd dealt with matters in much the same way. Whether it was ruthless criminals or rebels disrupting the empire's peace, his solutions had always been bold, direct, and brutal...0