Chapter 221: Beat the Retreat

Chapter 221: Beat the Retreat

People have a strange reaction to gratitude. They resent it. Having to admit to others and to yourself that you owe someone, that without them, you would have failed, is wounding to the ego.

You say thank you, you acknowledge the debt, but if the person makes too big a deal about their role and, by implication, your lack of contribution, it starts to get annoying. Yes, youre great, now dont mention it again.

Winston Churchill is a good example of this. He saved Britain, both as a war leader and as a role model. He set the tone for how we should treat the Nazis, and that attitude of utter superiority completely undermined the German attempt at world domination.

Er, verent ve supposed to be ze master race?

Sorry, Fritz, maybe next time (and with the Germans, theres always a next time).

Churchill led us to victory and a grateful nation thanked him by voting him out of office. Because no one likes a show-off.

Once the dangers passed, once it looks like the way ahead is clear, everyone and their mother thinks they know whats best. Welcome to my world.

An ogre was crying. I mean, really sobbing, snot streams gushing from cavernous nostrils and wailing like a banshee. I dont actually know what a banshee wail sounds like, but I had no doubt this world would show me at some point.

The ogre was Dudleys fiance and she had been told her prospective was already taken. They had returned Dudleys clothes to him and he was getting dressed while the ogre clung to her Magi mother, pointing at Dudley like a kid in the sweets aisle of a supermarket.

You want us to attack Requbar? said Claire, making it clear she didnt approve. Like that would affect my decision.

Yes. We have an armyactually, we have their army, so they dont even have anyone to stop us.

I had healed Biadets head, which Laney had smashed in from behind, and Jenny was tying her up before she came round and killed us all. They were quite the pair, the mad princess and the stone cold ninja. If they went at it for reals, my money would be on a plane ticket the fuck out of there.

Laney herself was pacing around with a large grin on her face, looking at Biadet from different angles. I think she was planning a painting of her standing over Biadet with one foot on her chest, like a big game hunter.

They have the Queens Guard, said Jenny. She hadnt come out and disagreed with me directly, but I could tell she wasnt so keen on my idea, either.

Yes, I said, but we have the eunuchs, the ogres, the trolls, a dragon, and a couple of Visitors, if theyre willing. Seems like we have the advantage.

We also have the chance to get as far away from here as possible, said Claire. Shed learned from the best. Or the worst, depending on how you viewed me. This isnt like you.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

She was right. I dont usually head towards trouble, even with an advantage. Simply winning to show you can is for tossers who get off on that sort of thing. Hooray, Im at the top of the leaderboard. Well done. Now what?

But this was a tactical strike. The Queen of Requbar possessed a way to enter the spires and probably a lot more information besides. Uncle Peter was going to be a problem wherever we went. He had plans for this world and since I was stuck here, ignoring him was rapidly becoming a non-option. This could be my best chance of dealing with him. It could also be the last chance, for all of us.

How do you know the eunuchs will even follow your orders? said Claire, using the classic debate technique of changing the subject when your first attempt is shown to be horseshit.

Weve got the magic stick and weve got Jenny. Shes still their leader, technically. Plus, theyve got no balls. Theyll do what theyre told.

The eunuchs stood around, sad and lost. They watched as their female overlords were stripped of their armour and put into a hole dug by the trolls, who had reverted to their troll forms. Giant rock monsters and ogres surrounded the eunuchs and they recognised it was safest to stay close to us. At least we were human. Although I didnt find watching dead women being dumped into a mass grave particularly upsetting, so how human I was at this point was hard to say.

There were a lot more eunuchs nearby and controlling them probably wouldnt be that easy now that the female soldiers were all dead. They were the only ones who knew how to operate the controlling stick. Maurice had it now and was trying to figure it out, but wed never encountered a device like it before.

Claire was glaring at me, searching for a way to prove me wrong. She probably would have found one if I gave her time. So I didnt.

You know, I said, wiping my bloody hands on the grass, I couldnt understand why theyd have an army of eunuchs. They make shit soldiers. Smaller, weaker, less aggressive. But it does kind of make sense. Weaker but easier to control is better than super strong and a mind of their own. Some women feel better about themselves if the men around them are less assertive.

Little lady, said Gabor, I think you will find the road to Fengarad will be quicker if we follow this one. He pointed a gloved finger at me. I still couldnt work out what weapons he had; nothing visible.

Really? said Laney. Are you sure?

I couldnt blame her for not believing him. I was surprised by his statement, too.

I work it out here. He tapped his head. Of all the possibilities, this one has best chance of success.

This seemed to mollify Laney. Whatever Gabors ability was, she appeared to trust it.

Very well, I grant my permission.

I hadn't asked, but fair enough. Thanks. Okay, lets get back to the dragon.

Ah, um, said Dudley. That is

We just need a sec, said Flossie.

Theres a cave over there, I said, pointing. Hurry up. No point making them wait, it would only make the dragon nervous. I turned to Gabor. Is my plan really our best chance?

Not even close. But it is the most interesting and it is hard to find good entertainment in this world.

They dont even have Blockbuster Video, said Roland. Poor guy, if only he knew.

Claire still looked pissed off. I wish I could read your mind, see what youre really up to.

I doubt that would help. Just back me up.

Dont we always?

To be fair, they did. But that could always change.

Theres a story that in 1940 Churchill was told that a message had been intercepted and decoded revealing a bombing raid on Coventry. But taking action to save people would let the Germans know their code had been broken, so Coventry was allowed to be hit without warning.

People say it never happened. An apocryphal story that shows the difficulty of leading in wartime. But if it did happen and the public were told, would they appreciate the cruel position hed have been in? They voted him out when they thought he was an unblemished hero, how would they have reacted to learning his hat was less than white?

I think the answer is obvious. Gratitude and understanding from an intellectual place, but something else from the heart, I would guess. Fear. If a man is capable of doing something like that, what else is he capable of? Who else is he prepared to sacrifice? Me?

Even a good leader struggles to make the right choice, and sometimes has to make the wrong one. And Ive never claimed to be good.

I have a question, said Jenny.

Yes?

Wheres Biadet?

I looked down. The girl who had been bound and trussed on the floor was gone.