💯 STORY CHALLENGE (21/100)
The General’s Last Order | Flash Fiction
A general oversees his troops a final time while reflecting on his years of service.
The parade ground is packed today. Rows of young soldiers stand to attention under the general’s watchful eyes. Pleased, he looks at their flawless formation.
A man in fine civilian vestment walks past the meticulously dressed soldiers, his golden chain of office reflecting the light of dawn. The general waits patiently as the regent slowly walks toward him on this hopeful morning.
“General,” the regent says curtly.
“Good morning, Lord Regent.”
There couldn’t be a stronger contrast to behold than these two men. Although the general tilts slightly to the left due to an old injury, his back is straight. If the intricate tattoo wasn’t enough to identify this man as a battle-hardened soldier, the many scars and the older man’s overall physique tell the stories of many battles.
The regent looks hunched as if the heavy chain of office pulls him down. Or maybe his portly belly, the product of the many comforts and delights of his standing, burdens him.
“A good morning, indeed,” the regent says, smiling at the general, “I am inclined to call it a fine morning, perfect even.”
“As perfect as my troops standing to attention,” the general answers proudly.
The two men stare at each other in silence for a short moment. Impatiently, the regent looks at the troops to his left and right and the rising sun.
“You have served this kingdom well, General,” he says hastily, “But today, as you retire, your command will be handed to your successor.”
“Let an old man linger in his nostalgia. You know I have served this kingdom all my life.”
“Quite the service, indeed. I, hereby, relieve you of your duties,” the regent says sheepish, turning his back to the general.
“I had never disobeyed an order in my life,” the general shouts after the man, holding his head high, “At least, not until that day….”
The regent turns red-faced, raising one hand as a sign to the riflemen to his left and right. A silent rumour goes through the previously disciplined troops when the riflemen surrounding the regent level their guns on the general’s body.
“How dare you, traitor!”
“I dared in service to the people, not some usurper!” the general’s voice carries over the parade ground, drowning out any attempt to silence him.
“Ready!”
The regent’s command is answered by the sound of rifles locking and loading.
“I will go on until all hope is ….”
“Fire!”
Gunfire cracks, ripping through reality like thunder in a silent night. Bleeding heavily and his lifeforce leaving, the general hunches on the ground. The regent steps forward, bending over the dying soldier with a sinister smile.
“It seems hope is already lost, traitor.”
“Tell me,” the general says in pain, blood running from his mouth, “If you needed the Emperor’s Guard to make sure I’m executed. Who is guarding the throne right now?”
Puzzled, the regent looks at the general, but before he has time to direct the Emperor’s Guard, shots are fired by the assembled soldiers, bringing him and the emperor’s loyalists down. When the smoke lifts, the regent lies next to the general—he breaths his last breath to the sound of gunfire from the castle.
© Jay C Wells, 2022
💯 Story Challenge (21/100)
JF Danskin’s writing prompt, “I had never disobeyed an order in my life. At least, not until that day…” inspired this story.
Find out more about the 💯 Story Challenge by Zane Dickens here.
My pick from the 💯 Story Challenge
My pick today is “We’re Out of Milk” by Bradan Writes Stories, a great emotional tale.
