There comes a time in one's life when they find out or understand something that significantly shifts their view of life. It can definitely be something small in size. Maybe there was something they believed as a child which turned out to be false. Or they put their trust in something only for that to be completely abused and betrayed. Regardless of the circumstances, that experience is something highly uncomfortable. Unfortunately, no one knows at which moment it might barge into their life.
In order to prepare for this, one can practice with adjusting their perspective somewhat. Even something small, like pretending to be a lone particle of dust travelling around, can be helpful. The dust is not concerned about the silly worries of humans, it focuses on the here and now, for the dust has nothing else. In just a moment, it could go from floating through the moonlit room and in the next, it could be lying next to a piece of charcoal.
Is it peaceful? Is it mourning? No. It just is. And it can be anywhere it needs to be at any time.
As the lone piece of dust continues being, a concerned man barges into the room and swiftly shuts the door. From the sudden movements came a gust of wind, which lifted all the small things in the room. Many different bits of dust floated through the moonlight, making themselves quite visible.
Ignoring the sight in front of him, the man stood with a fixed look in his eyes. Something was not quite right with him, even though he did not move, his limbs were frozen stiff. Many thoughts clearly shot through the concerned brain, that he wanted nothing to do with.
Was it right for him to say the things he did? Is the Captain onto his lies? Something had just occurred that he could not stop thinking about. While still cleaning up the traitor's room, the Captain came in and asked something to which he had no great answer for.
"Oh-ho, the clean up is going nic-- wait, where the fuck is the kid?", is what the Captain entered the room with.
"The kid? Oh... uh, yeah, I guess he had better things to do, cuz when I arrived he up an' left", is what the man's lies were.
"Ugh, damn, bastard, that's what I get for being soft on kids.", were the Captain's words when he sighed.
"Well, don't worry about it too much, there wasn't all that much here anyways.", is what the man said with a light, but forced chuckle.
Just a light grumble from the Captain was hearable when he walked out of the room. This caught the liar's attention. Was the grumble directed towards the kid or him? Were the lies convincing enough?
One concern turns into another, and thoughts continue racing each other to see which one can be the worst. From above, gracefully, unaware of any of these concerns, falls down a small bit of dust. Wanting to get a closer look at the distressed face, it lands softly on the man's nose.
Sharpened senses due to the circumstances snap the concerned one out of his trance-like state. Able to think a little more clearly now, he lightly pressed his back against the door and looked down at his hands. When was the last time they trembled so much?
While it is the natural course of his mind, nothing will be accomplished if he remains standing there, sinking deep in his worries. Deciding on what he needs to do, the man's gaze locks onto the desk nearby. Everything in his head is just a jumbled mess, he understands that he needs to bring out the most important points. Right now, the best way he can do that is by writing it down.
Swiftly moving to his destination, he searches for a sheet of paper and something to write with. Due to his excitement and the dim moonlight, the man's hands got all dirtied by a piece of charcoal. As unfortunate as it was, at least the writing tool had been found. Luckily, right next to it lies a piece of paper, neatly prepared for him.
Disappointed by his own nervousness, the man took a few deep breaths and pulled out the chair to sit down. After calmly observing the dark scene in front of him, he slowly turned towards the candle next to him. Smoothly, the man lightly grabbed the top of the candle with his fingers. In just a split moment, the whole room became much brighter by the now-burning candlelight.
Finally, seeing everything on his desk now, a mild embarrassment flushed over his face as he noticed the mess he had made. Though he was glad there was no one to see him. Before he begins, the mess needs to be cleaned up, which he takes just a short moment to do.
With the second clean-up of the day being complete, the hands of the Squad Leader swiftly wrote down multiple words on a blank piece of paper. It wasn't a sentence or a message, just a collection of words that stuck out to him from the letter. Meaning of these words at the moment is a mystery, a mystery, however, that he is determined to crack. In deep thought, he stares at the five words.
Earl.
Goods.
Woolhope.
West.
Complications.
Few minutes later, the man grabbed another piece of paper and drew lines to separate it into 4 sections. To each, he added a designation name. Something about his actions makes it seem like he's done this before. In each section, he distributed the mystery words. After being done, the man leaned back with a frown on his face.
Location: Woolhope
Person: Earl
Direction: West
Event: Complications
A puzzled sigh escapes his mouth, "But what's the goods?"
Feeling restrained by the page, the code cracker decides to look around the room, "We didn't carry anything that valuable."
"Didn't take in slaves either."
"It was just some minor loot and..."
Active imagination caused a sharp feeling in his back to surface, the pain barely bearable, "That piece of shit."
Driven by anger, new notes were added to the page. The sensation of control slowly fading away and reflecting that in the unsteady writing.
Location: Woolhope - we raided
Person: Earl - contractor, goods - us
Direction: West - opposite direction we went
Event: Complications - death of an ally
"Who's the fucking traitor now... wait...", he softly whispers to himself as he tumbles into the realization, "shit... has he been labeling people traitors based on this?"
The current Squad Leader peeks at the door, then back to his notes, "Fuck..."
Aware of what happens to traitors, the man begins to dispose of all the evidence in front of him. He crumples all his notes and tightly holds them in his hands. Warm light seeps through the paper moments before it lights up. For a moment, the room brightly illuminates, but the light disappears as quickly as the notes in a puff of smoke.
Relieved with the evidence disposal, he decides to head to bed. Just for now, he is safe, it might not last long, but every bit of rest he gets now will matter. How does one sleep when the next day they might need to abandon everything they know? Should he just head out already or pretend for a bit longer? So much is unknown.
Something he is fairly certain about, though, is that, even if the Captain doesn't know that yet, a new traitor has been born. With this sweet, calming thought, the Squad Leader attempts to drift off into sleep. Only if he had just a bit more time.
Blood-curdling screams wrap around the inside of the entire outpost. Not a single second passed before his feet touched the floor. Carried by instinct, the man's arm shot towards his sword and grabbed it, ready to use it. His eyes glared at the door searching for any change to lock onto, while his ears continued listening.
Sounds from an intruder? Some Foe? No, it was quite young and familiar, very familiar.
Dreading the thought of him being right, the Squad Leader rushed to his door and kicked it open. Weapon at the ready, senses sharp, he searches for anything that could give him a hint where the scream came from. He needs to be the first one to arrive there.
Several sets of steps rumble the ground as multiple bandits burst out of their rooms fully armed and alarmed. Everyone shares the same basic thought, they focus their attention on the Squad Leader.
The shortest one of the bunch speaks up, "Did you see anything?"
Current leader-in-action shakes his head, "I only heard the scream. Nothing when I came out"
The Squad Leader's sharp commands cut the air, "Don't go alone, have someone with you. Search every room and wake everyone up. Make sure everyone is present. We might have a break in. Go!"
No complaints. No questions. This is an emergency that the usual bickering and playfulness had no space. Everyone scattered, except for the one who gave out the order. Something caught attention of his nose, a hint of blood in the air.
With everyone distracted by their tasks, the Squad Leader was easily able to break away from them and head in the direction of the trouble. Swiftly, he moved down the corridors and approached the smell. Each step makes it stronger. Each step makes him weaker. Each step increases the risk. Should he just run away now?
Too late. He's here. Right at the stench of blood. Behind this door. It's slightly open. Nothing to stop him or get in his way. He could also just leave. Run. But the truth is right there.
He gives the door a light push.
Body. Note. The Captain standing with his blade soaking in blood.