50-NEW AGREEMENTS

The next morning, Ferzan felt great anxiety waiting for Samirse to tell him that he knew about his father Hazgor, but the only visit he received was from a guard who brought him some food. He shouted desperately for Samirse, but he ignored him.

Samirse knew that this would be the best torture, the uncertainty, so he left him there for several days. Meanwhile, he started contacting several of his superiors to see if they could organize an attack for the king's birthday. The idea reached several captains who showed interest, one of them being Captain Bittervine.

"Good morning, Lieutenant Samirse."

"Good morning, Captain! You can leave your horse with my guards. I invite you to my abode."

"Captain Bittervine: Perfect, we have a lot to talk about."

Ferzan hears a lot of commotion outside and his uncertainty grows.

"Tell me, Lieutenant, what is it that you have in your hands?"

"A few days ago, I captured a deserter from Tereville. I extracted some information from him. He told me about great discontent among the lower class population in the city, that they were turning against the king and that they could support our cause, but they are afraid."

"I like hearing that," says Bittervine interested.

"Also, the king will have his birthday soon, and it could be a good time to attack."

"Well, Lieutenant, it all sounds very good, but can we trust what this man says? It could be a trap or even a possible spy."

"I know, Captain, but he seemed quite convinced. If you want, you can talk to him."

"That sounds fine."

The captain enters the cell and Ferzan, filled with desperation, asks about Samirse. A guard hits him and tells him to listen to the captain.

"Very well, my friend. You are from Tereville, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"What did you see there? That place was once my home too."

"Since I was a child, I wanted to be part of the army to prevent the injustices that have always accompanied my life since I was little. But I realized that there I would only contribute more to the problem than to the solution."

"Well, well, if it isn't quite the rebel!"

"Not at all, sir. I just want to know what happened to my father and distance myself from all of this."

"Well, boy, we all always want many things, and they're not easy to obtain. However, I can help you if you help me."

"I'm listening."

"Good, Lieutenant Samirse has told me some interesting information that you bring from there, but in order to corroborate it, I need you to do something for me."

"As long as it's not something unjust, I can do it."

"Not at all, in fact, it would be a noble gesture towards our cause."

"What is it about?"

"If the king is indeed having his birthday, the servants that are still loyal to him in St. Jack will know, as that's where they usually prepare certain desserts to take to the palace. But it won't be easy, as they keep it discreet to avoid potential poisoning."

"I'll go in and confirm if the king is having his birthday. Is that all?"

"We need the exact date and the location of the gathering."

"Alright, sir, but there's a problem. I recently deserted, so if you expect me to go there as a soldier, my uniform is in very poor condition and it will raise suspicions."

"I'll take care of getting you a new uniform, and I'll declare you dead or missing, so we won't have any problems."

"Well, in that case, I don't think I'll have any complications."

"Perfect! I'll come tomorrow to give you what you need. Be ready."

"Can I get out of this damn cell now?"

Samirse interrupts, "That's for me to decide. Thank you very much for your visit, Captain. Come with me," says Samirse as he takes the Captain out of the cell.

"Hey, don't go! I'll help you! Get me out of here!"

Two burly guards close the cell.

"Why so harsh with the boy?"

"He must pay for his crimes," says Samirse, avoiding the Captain's gaze.

"Don't take it personally, Lieutenant. Farewell, get him prepared for tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

Night falls and Samirse finally goes to Ferzan. He forces him to take a bath and gives him some food without removing his chains.

"Do you expect me to be tied up for tomorrow's mission?" says Ferzan.

"No, but you'll be like that until the Captain arrives."

"I understand that you're upset because you couldn't help me, but don't you think..."

"Silence! Guards, take him away."

The next morning, Ferzan thinks about how to persuade the bakers in St. Jack without raising suspicions. After a couple of hours, Captain Bittervine finally arrives at noon. Two guards free Ferzan and give him the new uniform.

"Well, soldier, this is your first mission as a rebel," says Bittervine.

"But sir, I told you that I..."

"Silence, soldier. The only reason you're still alive is to fulfill this mission. If you won't serve me, I can leave you there so the lieutenant can continue enjoying herself as long as she pleases."

Ferzan remains silent.

"Do you understand, soldier?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good, let's continue. These two men will accompany you to the entrance of St. Jack so you don't have any conflicts with our men there. If you do something stupid, they'll kill you immediately. Meet with the guild of bakers, gather the information we need, come back here, and tell us everything. We'll spare your life, but you'll become part of our ranks. Then, I'll get the information about your father, Hazgor Marrins, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Soldiers, move out! The mission has begun!"

They bring three horses and begin their journey to St. Jack. Before leaving, the captain gives Ferzan a forged royal order letter and says, "This will make your job easier. I hope you know how to speak."

He slaps the horse, making it gallop briskly.

"Good luck, lad!"

"You've been very kind to that poor wretch," Samirse complains, unable to fulfill his revenge.

"Lieutenant, to win over new recruits, we have to treat them with respect, so they don't feel obligated to fulfill their missions but rather want to. And so far, our success rate has been quite high, and we haven't had any deserters yet, unlike the king's dogs."

"I understand, sir, but..."

"No buts, Lieutenant. Just understand how the rebels work. Let me know when this lad arrives."

"Understood, sir," Samirse concludes with anger in his eyes.

After a few minutes, Ferzan arrives in St. Jack and sees a large group of rebels pointing their weapons at him. The two riders who accompanied him approach them and explain the mission.

They open the gates but look at Ferzan with suspicion. Once inside, some people look at him with astonishment, while others with anger. A Terevillense soldier would hardly enter a city under rebel control as if nothing had happened. Some rebel guards escort him to the nearest bakery and wait for him at the entrance.