We came back tired, with dirty faces, each deep in thought. The look of every soldier after the battle, whether that soldier was a winner or a loser, revealed only one thing, horror. Of course, all that was completely obvious even now, especially since my platoon was made up exclusively of new guys - whom this was the first battle ever. I suffered too, although I have the rank of captain, I have not seen many similar battles, as today was. The same scenes of human despair kept recurring before my eyes. And then they were suddenly interrupted by a strange thought, a sentence I read a long time ago, at the Academy.
General in front of his army will not be general much long after the battle starts. You need to find a spot from where you will see, predict and command. Place where you can lead. That's the difference between a good and a dead officer. And yes, he was right. We lost generals every afternoon past weeks, in every skirmish, one of the Commanders, trying to impress the Emperor, led his detachment of soldiers chasing bandits and the enemy's advance. And each of them died. Only the smart ones survived, the ones that stay back.
Soldiers were constantly arriving, from all over the Empire. It was difficult to get along with most of them, given the diversity of races that originate on our continent. The enemy was even more numerous, all the reports agreed on one thing - their numbers are endless.
I arrived at the front a month ago, but what used to be the front is now largely enemy territory. We retreated at high speed. I am not sure that it is written in the history of warfare that we have ever conquered the territory so quickly, nor lost it. This was unreasonable, incomprehensible, we lost people and resources with incredible speed. We also knew little about the enemy, but one thing we were sure of - they do not take prisoners.
I also know what awaits me when we get to camp. The dream will not come to my eyes for the next few days, I just hope that we will not have to retire during that period.
Despair, on all faces, only deepened while the gloomy music of the war trumpet got in the background.
Source
How heavy and deep must be the feeling of living through a war as a soldier. You have managed to convey that complexity of feelings, @stormlight24.
I always thought that war brings worst in people, so you can se whole specter of emotions. I just trying to write it down.
Oh my heavens, you'll have to forgive me for making this personal. You write of empire and and an enemy with numbers that have no limit. I don't know what your personal experience with war is, but my husband fought in Vietnam--a conscript. 13 months in the jungle, fighting an enemy against which he harbored no animosity, except the animosity born of the desire to survive. But there he was, with 'dirty face', unwashed uniform (unless you count the rain that fell on it almost ceaselessly). There was no 'front line'. They just moved around, with fatal consequences for many.
You really capture the sense of war, as he experienced it.
Great story.
I am pleased that my word are close to true. Thanks for nice words.
This is a well-told vignette of war life, @stormlight24. Even those in command suffer from anguish and despair.
I have heard the expression "take no prisoners" many times, but I have never really thought about what it actually means. Now I realize, that an outfit which does not take prisoners is too ruthless to let them live.
I came across these expressions many times when reading war fantasy so I explored it and then understand it. I just thought this is a good story to implement it.
Thanks :)