“HOOOOOOOOW?”
More flying furniture. Kayessen wasn’t surprised. The last few reports, based on polling data from three major cities, had all been filled with bad news. Well, not complete bad news. Just enough for the High General to start having fits of anger and start tearing things up.
“Why do you think?” Kayessen sighed. “Have you not seen their travel schedule?”
In the other room, Kayessen could hear other sighs. The current Vice General, Emthion, was working on various bits and pieces. How he could stand working with General Photeianos, he had no idea.
“Their travel schedule should mean nothing!” Photeianos roared. “We have visited far more places than we have! We have been all over this damn planet!”
“But we’ve only visited people who like you.”
“Everyone likes me!”
“Not everyone likes you! That’s why we are getting results like this!” Kayessen shouted. “But you don’t listen to me!”
A knock at the door distracted them both.
“Please may you quieten down?” Emthion asked, holding a large wad of paper. “I have work to do.”
Photeianos stomped over to Emthion. “Your work can wait. Maybe you can help us?”
“No.”
“You’re refusing?”
“Ser, I am two weeks behind on these reports. On top of that, I am also required to prepare for a change in leadership. Whether it happens or not, I do not know, but I must prepare nonetheless.”
“At this rate,” Kayessen interrupted. “You’ll be preparing for General Rethais, not me!”
Emthion looked at Kayessen and tutted. “No fault but your own.”
“You mean Photeianos’s fault!” Kayessen growled. “I am doing everything in my very limited power to help him and try and win this election! I want this job! I don’t know if General Photeianos does!”
Another look at both Kayessen and Photeianos. There was a tired, weary look in Emthion’s eyes, as if he’d been putting up with too much for too long. To Kayessen, this was incredibly worrying, as Emthion had only been Vice General for a short amount of time. What if they did run, and Kayessen was stuck in a job he hated for five years?
Emthion sighed, then walked out. Photeianos rolled his eyes, then went back to kicking furniture around.
“High General, perhaps I could speak to him? Maybe talk some sense into him?”
“It’s worth a try,” Photeianos growled as he finally settled down.
Kayessen nodded then chased after Emthion, who was leaning against the doorway to his own office.
“General Emthion?”
“You want help. I’m not helping.”
“Why not?” Kayessen asked. “General Photeianos has been nothing but good to you.”
“Oh really? Since I accepted the duty of Vice General, he has done nothing but berate me. I am not good enough. Elkay was not good enough. No one is ever good enough for that fucker.”
“He isn’t that-”
“HE IS!”
Emthion silenced himself, then walked into his office, closing the door behind him. Kayessen hesitated, then slowly pushed the door open.
“I-I’m sorry…” he muttered as he tiptoed in.
“It is fine,” Emthion sighed. He was at his desk again. “I have had a bad day. I know you want help. So I will offer you the only advice I can give you. If you win, resign. Or suffer through five years of misery, only to be taken out when you step out of line. Understood?”
Kayessen paused. “I… I think you’re wrong.”
“Think all you want. Do not come crying to us when things get worse. Now, please, leave me be.”
“Very well, General…”
Kayessen gave up, and left the room. There was nothing he could do, for now at least.