I have been quite caught up in promoting Book 2, “The Sapphire Crucible” and working on Book 3, “Mandrean Revenge.” Recently a fan wrote me about a scene from the first book, “Quest for the Red Sapphire” and reminded me of a segment early on in the tale. I wrote it to show both the good and bad sides of Linvin’s personality. Please enjoy this excerpt:
“Of course, there will be a victory parade once your men arrive to celebrate your amazing wins.” Such adoration would make many men feel pride and happiness, but for Linvin, each statement made him feel worse and worse. He had resigned to hold his tongue until he was alone with the king. However, at the utterance of the last sentence, rage welled within him and he could be quiet no longer. “My men?” he asked. “Three days ago, I commanded the combined armies of Valia. Nearly 9000 soldiers marched into that swamp under my orders. I marched out with little more than a tenth of that number. Of those who live, perhaps as little as half will ever fight again, and for all that, you want to make a statue of me? You want a parade? You speak of glorifying me but in fact you are celebrating not having to be held accountable for your wrongdoings.” The room was silent. Laughter had been replaced by shock. “How dare you come in here and say such things to those who would pay you homage,” snorted one of the noblemen. “The people in this room are the most powerful men in this country and yet you speak to us like children!” “I did not seek to treat you as children,” Linvin said firmly. “For even children have more sense than you have shown over these years.” The men were most indignant, though the king simply sat on his throne and tapped his finger on his lips. He looked like one who was watching a play to its conclusion. As the men made a tight circle around the general, one brought his face right before Linvin’s and said, “We are the ones who took this nation from a bunch of farmers and fishermen to the foremost trading nation in the world. We are the envy of the world. So don’t think a victory such as yours, gives you the right to come in here and insult us General. Heroes come and go but noblemen always remain.” Linvin’s first thought was to thrash the fat bureaucrat to near death, but he showed restraint in his muscles that did not carry over to his lips. “You are skilled businessmen, to be sure; however, your ears are so used to listening for the sound of dropping coins, that they do not recognize common sense. For years, I have told you that the army was too small. For years, I have warned that a serious invasion was on the horizon, yet my warnings and petitions to raise a larger army were ignored. We had a tremendous amount of time to prepare over the years, yet the army actually shrunk.” “No one wanted to join the army!” yelled one of the men. “Why take time from the monetary pursuits to become a soldier. There’s little profit in it.” “And who would join the army?” asked another. “Between the merchant ships, navy, and farms, we hardly have enough people to do the work. We cannot afford to waste manpower in the army.” “Waste!” Linvin yelled. “What waste would have befallen this country if I had failed? Every man, woman and child would have been slaughtered. Homes and fields would be burned. Any survivors would have become slaves. How can you call preventing such a thing a waste of manpower?” “You argue against yourself,” a nobleman said. “You proved us right. All this time you have asked for more men and yet you had ample forces to complete your task. You are an anomaly, my good general.” “And how many men fell, who would have lived, if there had been reinforcements?” Linvin asked. “How many more would have lived, if they hadn’t had to fight 3 days without rest? How many would have lived, if we could have permitted the enemy to withdraw, rather than risking everything to destroy them utterly. The number is not known. What is known, is that there would still be an army protecting this country instead of the few who still breathe.” “Quiet your tongue!” snapped a nobleman. “You say too much! You see everything as black and white, when there is an obvious gray area. Even if reinforcements were available, you have no idea of the cost associated with their hire and training. Those are costs, boy, that you do not see but we must live with. Think about that the next time you forget your place!” The king hung his head and covered his eyes. A line had been crossed and the other side would be ugly. Linvin was pushed too far. His eyes caught fire when hearing his new title. In one quick movement, he grabbed the man by the throat with a single hand and lifted him off his feet. Linvin drew him close with ease. “Now listen to me you pompous, arrogant sack of flesh,” Linvin said in a firm, though monotone voice. “Your life exists under the freedom I provide. Your words dictate that I remove that freedom.” Linvin’s hand began to squeeze. “That is enough!” the king ordered. “Linvin, release him at once.”
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