- He doesn't know what he's doing.

  The pot-bellied general wiped a fake tear from his cheek. He'd been looking that affected for several minutes already, and Greta was starting to feel like punching that gigantic potbelly that was bulging before her eyes.

  - Drought does his job very well, Tibug. He gives his all every time to ensure that battles are over quickly and efficiently. I've never had a compint to make to the Constable.

  She paused long enough to give a few orders to the workers building the stairs leading to the top of the walls. The work was progressing well, and in just half a day, the first steps had already reached the future patrol path. The pacles worked hand in hand with the human workers, which was rare enough to be noted, and a few bodars here and there were competing to see who would be the fastest to level the top of the foundations with their heads, making a passable path. So yes, you could say everyone was pitching in.

  - But no, my dear, you know exactly what I mean !

  The little man stroked his chubby cheeks with a pout that was both prudish and expressed such cowardly fear that the red-haired woman felt like throwing up.

  - He has no idea what the samaltas have pnned, nor what can be done to repel them. He's completely overwhelmed ! And that's normal, after all. He's a young man who hasn't been on the battlefield for very long. He may have many qualities, but what he cks is experience. Unlike you, Greta, who's been on the front lines for dozens of revolutions...

  The general began to undo one of her braids and tie it back on. She preferred not to answer. Obviously, these kinds of thoughts had crossed her mind several times before. But nevertheless, she forbade herself from thinking about it every time. Drought was a good general. He was noble, calm, and knew how to make important decisions at the right time. But above all, he was also close to his soldiers and knew how to recognize the value of each one. He did his best to ensure that everyone returned home safe and sound, and when that wasn't the case, he wasn't ashamed to come and tell the family himself. Yes, in terms of his leadership, he was perfect. But that wasn't all that was needed in a general, especially one who commanded all the troops of Héliomenrès the Glorious. Greta hated to admit it, to agree with Tibug, but indeed, the pacle had shortcomings. He was too young, sometimes too hot headed, and relied heavily on his strength and that of his colleagues, even if it meant rushing into a military campaign without careful preparation because he knew he would win. And he was sorely inexperienced, had no creativity in his pnning, and therefore had difficulty predicting enemy movements. These were among his greatest fws. And it was true that Greta had thought several times that it would be better if she were the one leading the Fire Empire's army, instead of that young nobleman who had been coddled for too long, and who knew more about politics than his work on the battlefield.

  - I see it in your eyes, general. You think like me. It's a shame because one misstep could get us all killed...

  The little man, sweating like a beast and smelling hardly any better, had approached. He was leaning toward the human woman who was easily two heads taller than him, his bright little eyes filled with confidence and an absurd glint of victory. Greta couldn't stand him. She knew deep down he was trying to manipute her, that this despicable being wouldn't say anything interesting, but she couldn't deny he was right. The measures Drought had taken would be useful in reducing casualties in the long run, but they weren't permanent. And they didn't have that much time. The samaltas could attack at any time. To the point where most of the soldiers were terrified, a palpable nervous atmosphere had settled over the camp since the st battle, when they had been ambushed in their own camp. They were all counting on the general to bail them out and find a solution. But all this time, he remained locked in his tent with this mysterious prisoner who was lurking who knew where. It was all starting to look very suspicious. Greta scratched her head, tangling her red hair a little more. The wounds on her face and chest hadn't healed properly yet, probably because she preferred to send her soldiers to the infirmary rather than go herself.

  - You can't speak ill of the Supreme General of the Armies, he was chosen by the Constable himself. We could have our heads separated from our necks if anyone heard us. And besides... No, nothing, forget it...

  She rubbed the back of her neck, looking embarrassed. But Tibug saw this as his chance to go further.

  - But what ? You know, it would be better if we had someone experienced to protect us ! Someone like... You !

  Greta continued to nervously fiddle with her hair. If she were a general of Héliomenrès's armies... Then perhaps yes, knowing this weight on her shoulders, she would know how to find the best solution. She would review the many battles she had experienced, and draw the best possible scenario, the best solution, the kind of thing you don't learn at the academy but in the field. Perhaps she would know how to manage this war. And if she had been the one in command, they wouldn't have lost all those young people participating in the military service.

  Further away, carrying pieces of stone to help with the construction, someone had heard them. A young boy who strained his ears in spite of himself as soon as he heard the name Drought. Makile shuddered, terrified. He had always been taught that the goddess Héliote herself, through the chamberins and the constable, chose who would become the general of the capital, and that therefore this divine decision was never questioned. But at that moment, he doubted General Tibug was truly happy with Drought. And Greta was beginning to think the same way. It was disturbing to see how everything he thought had proven wrong, day after day in this campaign. And, even though he didn't know the higher-ups personally, he had a feeling the little man with the round belly was up to something. He had to warn Drought.

  Dropping his burden and apologizing to the other workers, he rushed toward the pacle's tent. Only one thing kept echoing in his head : "Those Drought considered his allies are plotting against him." That sense of urgency wouldn't die down, pounding in his ears and feet with every stride. His overgrown hair hid his eyes as he burst into the general's tent.

  - Drought ! I...

  But when he realized what he was seeing, he stopped dead in his tracks. In the barracks, sitting on his bed, Drought sighed heavily. A hooded figure was kneeling before him, its rge wings spread, hiding what they were both doing.

  - Is that… You… Ew !

  Makile leaped to the side, unable to tear his eyes away from the scene. Drought sat up quickly, as scarlet as his pupils.

  - No, it's not what you think, we were just talking !

  He stood up, and indeed, he was dressed. The figure didn't move, keeping its back to the human.

  - She's the prisoner, the one who saved us the day of the attack on the camp ! Since she was in the samalta camp, she has some information, so I'll question her…

  The young soldier gnced at the ground. This immense figure, leaning forward to be more discreet, with rge wings twisted behind its back... It was probably a bodar, but the rgest winged humanoid Makile had ever seen ! And if Drought was questioning her, it must have been because she had important information. Second surprising thing, for someone of her species. Was she like Icy, one of those rare bodars who could control her urge to py ?

  - Sorry for the misunderstanding then... And hello... What should I call you ?

  The figure still didn't respond. The pacle gestured insistently, a drop of sweat sliding down his temples. Then, slowly, the creature stood up. Taking care to keep her face hidden by the hood of her cloak, her head lowered, she approached and then bowed awkwardly before Makile.

  - Elry... I am... Elry...

  Her manner of speaking disconcerted the boy for a moment. It was a raspy, deep, percussive voice, but at the same time a feminine voice that rang like bells. A completely disturbing mixture, especially since the person seemed to be making an effort to get out a single word.

  Drought stepped between the two.

  - I'm sorry to introduce her to you now, but she's been through some tough times in the enemy camp. She still has after-effects, if you know what I mean...

  Makile couldn't help but notice the pacle's hand tenderly pced on the hooded figure's shoulder. As if he were genuinely worried about her. After all, he was a good general who looked out for the welfare of his troops. Nothing unusual about that.

  The reason for his visit suddenly came back to the young boy. He gasped, then started talking again, fidgeting.

  - I heard things ! I think it's... Conspiracy...

  He lowered his voice, casting a pointed look at Elry. She turned her head away and made to walk away, but Drought caught her with a firm hand on her shoulder.

  - She can stay. She helps me with certain things, she has a different view of the world. So you can speak without fear, she's someone you can trust.

  The young boy hesitated. Keeping a stranger in his confidence was something that was unlike Drought. But he didn't protest further, focused on his idol, who was watching him with interest, waiting for his report.

  - So, Makile began, I was helping with the construction on the walls.

  - Very thoughtful of you.

  - Thank you. And right now, we were taking orders from Generals Tibug and Greta.

  - So far, that's what I'd ordered.

  The boy felt like Drought was constantly cutting him off, as if to get him to finish as quickly as possible and leave. This was very surprising coming from the pacle, and the young human was increasingly feeling like something was wrong.

  - And I heard General Tibug start telling Greta that you didn't know what you were doing, that you weren't experienced enough, and that Greta should take your pce. She didn't say anything, she just warned that the Constable was the one to compin to if something went wrong, but she didn't defend you much either. She seemed uncomfortable. This conversation worried me, so... There, I came...

  Drought nodded. He scratched his forehead for a moment, avoiding the two rge, slender horns growing there, then turned back to Makile.

  - Nothing new on the horizon. It's politics. Everyone wants the chief's position, and everyone is convinced they can do better than me. But I'd like to see them there when we're in a desperate situation...

  He paused for a few moments. His gaze wandered around the room. It stopped on Elry, and a knowing glint seemed to shine in his elongated pupils. Makile remained silent, awaiting Drought's verdict. The tter seemed to notice the boy's gaze and regained his composure.

  - As long as they only talk among themselves but don't act, I can't do anything. That would be an unfair attack on them since they haven't done something bad. But if you ever see them act, tell me. The punishment will be exempry.

  Then, considering the discussion over, the pacle returned to the back of the tent, to the map drawn by Icy, on which the young soldier saw writings and erasures.

  - And what about orders ? What about what's next ?

  Makile clung to Drought's magnificent, shining figure. But, for the first time since he had been enlisted for this campaign, that figure seemed distant and remote.

  - I'll tell you everything at the same time as the others tonight. Let me finish preparing everything.

  Elry bowed briefly to the small human, then went to stand beside Drought. They seemed to be speaking in hushed voices, as if Makile didn't exist.The boy felt tears well up in his eyes, without understanding why. Not knowing what to do, he turned and left the tent. Drought didn't even seem to notice.

  ***

  - And then he said nothing. Nothing at all ! As if I weren't there !

  The whole family had gathered in a quiet corner of the camp, away from the construction of the walls and the hustle and bustle of the afternoon's training. Icy had resumed his physical exercise under the watchful eye of Deadly and S'rinj, who were pying with his dice to taunt and motivate him. Makile, meanwhile, was lying on his back on the ground, staring up at the gray sky and recounting for the umpteenth time his confrontation with Drought earlier.

  - I mean... Yes, she seems useful, and maybe she knows a thing or two to help in war... But she's a bodar ! In any case, she wouldn't have the brains to hold her discussions !

  - Hey !

  Icy protested, scooping up dirt and throwing it at the young boy, who continued his whining.

  - She doesn't even look that pretty, how did she manage to bewitch him…

  - You don't know. Maybe she is very pretty.

  Deadly rolled the dice again, in the general silence. She looked up to meet the group's eyes, fixed on her.

  - Okay, I admit, I've seen her before. She's not ugly, but she's not the beauty of the century either. Even I look healthier, she's skin and bones.

  She stretched her legs out to her hooves, tilting her head back to crack her neck.

  - On the other hand, it's her personality and attitude that are attractive. She really is like a child. As if she'd been locked up since she was two or three years old.

  No one dared to say a word, ashamed. Deadly clicked her tongue, annoyed.

  - Come on, kid ! You were almost insulting her thirty seconds ago, but now that she's suddenly someone with a sad past, you have to treat her right ?

  The girl stood up, kicking the dice as she did so. Icy immediately abandoned his exercises to jump after her. S'rinj was looking at the three of them, having not spoken in several minutes. When he finally opened his mouth, Deadly froze.

  - She's got something going on, right?

  She opened and closed her mouth several times, trying to hide her anxiety behind her curtain of jet-bck hair.

  - What do you mean ?

  The physicist stood up as well, leaning toward the girl, narrowing his eyes.

  - Usually, you'd either not care or insult her. Protecting her like this isn't really your thing. So tell me, what's different about her ?

  Icy was now staring at Deadly as well. He frowned, curious. He, too, wanted to know what could have made the cantankerous pacle change so much. She seemed different since the battle, since she'd met that famous prisoner. And, far from letting it show, Makile was also very curious. The pacle quickly thought of an expnation that would sound as truthful as possible—she didn't know how to lie to S'rinj—while omitting the huge detail that this woman was an aberration. Finally, it was a sentence that escaped her lips before she could even stop it.

  - It's her baby.

  All three pairs of eyes widened. S'rinj grabbed Deadly's shoulders enthusiastically.

  - A baby ? She has a kid with her ? Right now ? How come no one said anything ? Is he special ? Come on, you've either said too much or not enough !

  The young woman cursed herself inwardly, and seriously considered for half a second using her power on her family to make them forget what she had just said. But it was too te, and she would never dare do it. So in her head, she apologized to Elry and quickly said it, so as not to overthink it and so that S'rinj wouldn't detect her false tone :

  - He's an aberration, so she didn't want anyone to see him. But don't worry, he won't be a danger to society or anything. We all know that most aberrations die young, and Drought is watching over him. She's just too upset with everything she's been through to part with him...

  Makile sat up suddenly, kneeling on the ground.

  - Wait, I didn't see a baby when I went there earlier ! What does he look like ? How old is he ? What kind of aberration is he ?

  Deadly held up her hands, as if to shield herself from the swarm of questions.

  - Hey, I'm no expert on this subject ! I only saw the little one, and it's really ugly. Like a weird bodar with furry ears. Besides, he's really tiny; he must be less than a revolution old. I don't know what that woman went through when she was a prisoner, but it must have been awful ! Usually, she hides the kid with her in her cloak, afraid they'll kill him, because you know... Aberrations, all that...

  Icy's eyes were shining. While twiddling his dice, he crouched down and gave Deadly a big grin.

  - And is it the fact that she has to raise him alone that's putting you in this state, or is it the fact that he's an aberration, and therefore an interracial kid ?

  The kick nded on its own in the bodar's stomach, and he colpsed backward.

  - Hey, I was just kidding ! I'd love to have you in my bed, but no way am I having a baby...

  Second blow, to the thigh this time. Icy stifled a scream and the satisfied pacle turned to S'rinj. The physicist was surprisingly silent. And it wasn't meant to reassure her.

  - It's terrifying when you're like that. You're not going to try to go see the kid, are you ?

  The forty-year-old took the time to readjust his gray and hazel hair, running his small curls through his fingers. His face was neutral, but his eyes shone with a terrifying light.

  - The first time I y my fingers on a living aberration... Ah, obviously, I'd have to wait until the mother decides to part with it, but that will happen naturally when she comes to her senses... Imagine all the experiments I could do with it... The advances in medicine !

  Deadly felt herself shiver. After all the revolutions spent in his company, she had an idea of ??S'rinj's "experiments”. She had seen some that had given her nightmares for seasons. And to think of Calixte, the little white baby with his big purple eyes, being tortured like this…

  Her stomach heaved in spite of herself, and she felt bile rise in the back of her throat. A cold sweat broke out on her back, making her legs tremble, even though they were muscur. Before she could even make a sound, the curtain of her hair lifted, and she vomited. Icy took out one of his shoeces, the ones he always kept in his pocket for pying many fun games, and tied up the rest of the girl's hair. He then began patting her back, holding her forward until she was finished. When the spasms had finally left the young woman's body, the bodar handed her his water bottle.

  - I see this discussion is really getting you all worked up... Have you grown attached to the little one ?

  With watery eyes, trying to catch her breath between sips of water to wash away the taste, she only managed to whisper :

  - His name is Calixte…

  - Okay, I see.

  Icy, who had spread his wings to hide the scene from the others and camoufge the sound of the conversation with the rustling of his feathers, turned happily to the rest of the family, as if nothing had happened.

  - Well, it looks like our favorite ruminant isn't feeling well today ! Anyone have a bone for her to gnaw her fangs on and get back to being as sharp as before ? Ouch !

  Deadly had plucked a feather from the bodar's back.

  - Don't overdo it, or I'll eat you !

  He widened his eyes disproportionately, like a child being scolded.

  - You wouldn't dare !

  - Try it !

  And they resumed their bickering, as usual. S'rinj watched them, a slight smile illuminating his face. Makile felt a frozen chill, he didn't know why.

  - So, Uncle, what do we do ? Do we let Drought handle this ?

  The tall, dark-skinned man leaned toward the boy and ruffled his hair.

  - I think it's too te for the boss; he's been harpooned, if you know what I mean. It's our duty to sort this out, I think... Well, in his own best interest.

  The two men exchanged a long look. Makile finally nodded slowly. Yes, if it was in Drought's best interest, if the Supreme General could regain his usual ability to lead without being hijacked by a woman, then that was what he had to do. It was his duty to the army. To Héliomenrès the Glorious. To the entire Empire of Fire and the goddess Héliote.