My master and I took off at a brisk walk, leaving me alone with my eager thoughts. This is it! You're finally going back to the Confederacy! It may seem impossible now, but if you dig deep enough, you'll be able to find enough willpower to be around them and forget about the burning rage in your throat. You care about them too much to want to murder them because of some ludicrous lust. This is finally it!
I wasn't quite sure why Maria and I were taking our time to get wherever the Confederacy was, but I was sure there was a reason. In the back of my mind, I idly wondered if Maria was purposely doing this to leave me alone with my emotions, my senses, and my bloodlust. Reverse psychology seemed to be one of her favorite tricks in her book, so I couldn't help but wonder if she was up to something.
"Alright, General, we're almost here." Maria chimed around half an hour later, and I cocked a golden eyebrow in the air.
"Really? We're almost to them?"
"Oh yes, very close actually. They're just over this next hill, and you'll be reunited."
"Oh, wonderful! Fantastic! Thank you so much, Maria!" I exclaimed eagerly, my pace picking up with excitement. She kept hers the same, and I was forced to practice my patience as I walked behind her. "Hey, Maria?"
"Yes, General?"
"What do I tell them if they've asked where I've been all this time?"
"Hmmm," Maria muttered, walking even slower than she had before as she thought. "I would simply tell them the truth. You don't want to be conceived as a liar, do you?"
"Of course not." I replied, nodding my head once. "How would I word it, though?" Surely I would be considered crazy if I were to explain everything that had happened in the past weeks.
"Well, how about, 'I was doing the job that you instructed of me?'"
I thought this over. "Well, in all due respect, it sounds a little vague."
"Do you not think they'll believe you?"
"I never sa—. No, ma'am, I think they'll believe me."
"Oh good, I knew you'd agree." Maria smiled malevolently, and we kept walking. We were nearly to the top of the hill, and I was both nervous and excited to see my colleagues.
What, with being back in the Confederacy, you'll be able to serve wholesome people, maybe settle down once you find that special young lady. 'Course, you'll have to eventually tell her about yourself, but she will understand. Heck, you might even be able to take her home to momma and daddy. I wonder if they've missed me. I wonder if I've gotten any letters from them. I wonder how momma's sickness is doing, if she's getting any better…
My mind was racing with curious thoughts, piling upon each other like a shuffled pack of cards. "Alright, General, here we are." Maria held out a hand to point to where the Confederacy was.
But there was no Confederacy.
In fact, there was nothing of the sort. In front of me was nothing but a smaller version of the main tent, made out of a rough canvas with a propped open door, held down by a wooden stake. My eyes squinted in confusion, and I snuck a quick look in Maria's direction.
"Where's the Confederacy?" I asked curiously, trying to lower my already high hopes.
"Confederacy? Why, I'm honored, General." A new voice spoke from the tent, and it was nothing that I recognized. Next a tall, lanky negro was striding gracefully out of the tent as he ducked his head respectfully.
"Confederacy, General?" Maria questioned, a hint of laughter in her voice. "You silly fool, there's no Confederacy."
"But, Master, I thought that you were taking me to Dallas…?"
"I am. You are with Dallas now."
My eyes squinted as my mind finally registered what she was saying.
I was not in Dallas, nor was I going back to the Confederacy. I was with Dallas. He was standing right in front of me.
I turned towards the man, ducking my head and extending a pale hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm Gener—"
"General Whitlock, yes, Maria's told me much about you."
I was somewhat shocked at the information he had on me, but shrugged it off, focusing my attention on Maria.
"General, this is Dallas. He is going to be sort of like an apprentice to you. He will do exactly what you tell him to do, and will train to take your place if there's a case where you can no longer be our General or, at least, commanding General."
Nodding, I stole another glance at the man. How interesting that I person of color would have the chance to have such an important role in such an important army. I thought supremely, taking in his actions and staring deep into his eyes, trying to get a feel for his emotions. He seemed to be feeling quite important, quite excited, and scarcely nervous. These were understandable, I noted. Perhaps even good. Although I did need to speak with Maria. I need to let her know how I was feeling about this whole situation.
"I see. If you don't mind ,Dallas, I need to speak to Maria for a split second. Would you mind…?"
"Not at all, General." He smiled, obeying some unknown law that he was being forced to reckon with, and walked quickly to his tent, removing the door and allowing it to wave shut.
"What is it, General?" Maria questioned, taking a few steps towards me. Her hands were on her curvy hips and her foot was tapping as it normally was. I could sense a feel of slight frustration. I could make this polite.
"Well, dear Maria, I will gladly train Dallas, though there is one problem."
"Oh yeah?" Maria gazed at me, cocking a brunette eyebrow in the air.
"Yes, there is. You see, you've seemed to lack the details on what exactly I am supposed to do as commanding General."
"Hmm, let's go back to the very beginning, when you woke and we discussed what your duty was. Do you recall this, General?" I nodded, and she continued. "I clearly stated that it was your job to train our newborns to make them a great asset to our army and to gain control of the Southern colonies and their entireties. Do you follow, General, or am I going to quickly for you?"
"You're doing quite fine, Maria." I mumbled.
"Well, then, what is it that you're unclear about? Were my directions to vague for your understanding?"
"To be perfectly honest, yes, Maria, they were. I myself am not sure how to fight. I believe you should focus on training me first and then have me begin training others."
Maria sighed, tapping her foot to a quicker tempo. "General, there's a thing out there called charisma, and you are one of the lucky few that possess it. This allows you to have people like you, to gain and follow your ideals and actions. There are also your senses. When you give into them, and abandon your stubborn mind, you will be able to destroy nearly anything that you wish. So that, General, is how you train your followers. Use charisma and your senses."
"But Maria, is there not some technique and skill for me to follow?"
"Would you like to waste unneeded breath for me to repeat exactly what I just said to you again, General?" Maria snapped, and I shook my head. "Good. I believe Dallas's training has began, then." She turned on her heel, hissing quietly and sprinting off in a graceful heap.
Dallas emerged from his tent, eager and excited and nervous all over again. "Is it time to start training, General Whitlock?" He asked, his voice layered heavy in the emotions I could somehow sense.
I sighed, wishing I had had more experience in this field. "Yes, Dallas, I suppose it is. Come, follow me." Turning, I took off in a quick sprint until we were in an open field. Training had begun.
