Tavaar - 50th Edition

The company was at attention as Hehnfit led the delegates from High Command into camp. General Sampka was the ranking officer. He was dressed in green, the primary color of Defense. He walked tall and proud, his eyes taking in everything. With him were two Commanders, one from Defense and the other from Mines. Seratahn was from Defense. She was shorter than those around her and she wore a tall hat to compensate. Her long, yellow hair flowed out from under it like waves of gold. Muflin, Tavaar knew, but not well. He was here to judge the company while Seratahn would judge Khaiu and Shello. Sampka would have the final say on praise or criticism. He would also be the one to make decisions about the company’s command. When they arrived, Tavaar greeted each with a kiss. She then introduced her command, beginning with Nayvahl. Each came forward and gave the kiss of welcome. Then she presented Khaiu and Shello.

“You have done well, Tavaar, daughter of Odelmaar,” said Sampka. “I confess to no small amount of surprise that you should capture these two. We will hear your report.”

“Would you not care to refresh yourselves first?” Tavaar asked.

“No. We will drink ale, if you have any, while we listen.”

“Very good, General,” said Tavaar. She turned and gave orders to Nayvahl. Then she escorted the General, Commanders and their retinue to a place prepared.

When the General and his officers were ready, Tavaar presented herself before them, standing directly before Sampka. To Sampka’s right was Seratahn. To her right sat Khaiu and Shello. Muflin sat to Sampka’s left. Next to him sat Nayvahl, Sashwa, Yahrleen and Alobahr. The rest of the warriors completed a circle around and behind her.

She began with Kelenbah’s announcement to the company that he was leaving and putting Tavaar in command. She ignored his reasons for leaving. She then told how, with Nayvahl and Sashwa’s help, she chose squad leaders and devised a plan to intercept Khaiu and Shello. She told about implementing the plan and how it almost worked. When she finished, she handed a sealed scroll to General Sampka, who took it without speaking.

Before breaking the seal, Sampka looked long and hard at Tavaar. She stood without flinching. Finally, he spoke.

“An excellent report,” he said. “You presented the facts without interpretation or embellishment. You have, however, placed us in a somewhat strange position. You deny capturing the testing warriors, yet here they are in your camp. What are we to make of that?”

“We did not capture them, General. They gave themselves up after my team revealed its position prematurely.”

“And this scroll?”

“It is my written report of actions and recommendations for the company based on this mission and my general knowledge.”