Chương 96: Book 3; Chapter 95; From General to General

After finishing, Old John leaned back in his chair with his arms behind his head and was watching Anniet, who was silently sitting on a swing, all deep in her thoughts.

"Am I wasting your time?" she asked eventually.

"How come you got such impression of me?"

"I don't know. You know so much, and you can teach so many things, and instead of using the time you give me wisely, I just make you tell me some old stories over and over again. I probably will regret it later when you are no longer around to share with me what you know." That was true. It was the third day she had spent in Old John's company, and so far she hadn't learned anything. Well, she had learned a lot, but not something that would be considered "learned".

"There is never a better time to do what you want than now," Old John laughed.

"Do you want to learn anything from me, other than what you are hearing and learning right now?"

"Not really," Anniet had to admit.

"That's the problem."

"Wouldn't you then later regret that instead of listening to something you like to hear, you would listen to something that doesn't even bring any interest to you, and then, when I am not around, you would realise that you have missed the opportunity to have a good time and traded it for some boring lessons that might be beneficial or might not?" His words brought a fond smile to Anniet's face and warmth to her heart.

"You always manage to say things in a way that makes me happier," she confessed.

"Is that why Rainee asked you to look after me? To make me happier?"

"No," Old John replied, and before Anniet could go down the trail that led to thinking that, after all, Rainee's intention was for her to learn something useful, he added, "she asked me to stay with you because she loves you."

"Oh." That was all Anniet could say, shaken so suddenly off the responsibility-for-proper-education tree. They were staying in this very strange pavilion, resembling a greenhouse more than a pavilion, but still, it was made just of wood and flowers. It was strange to use the word flowers for a building material, but nevertheless, the whole place gave the impression that it was made from flowers. Even the wood used for building felt more like living trees than logs and planks.

Anniet didn't know that flowers could thrive like this while in the shade, but that was how it was here. This place was surrounded by very tall, ancient trees that didn't share the sunlight with anything or anyone beneath their shade, but nevertheless, all around was flourishing. Even this swing she was sitting on was made from living vines hanging from the ceiling, and it was also covered in flowers.

She didn't even try to preserve them any more, as it was not possible to make a single movement without stepping on or squashing some. Old John was staying at the large and mysterious building behind the pavilion that looked just the same, alive, flourishing with greenery. This morning, she decided to leave her apartment, which had become her sanctuary for the past two days. She wasn't sure how to find John, but remembered what he said on their first day:"When you want to see me, look for me, and I will find you."

Very simple but very strange instructions for a meeting. But it worked! She walked in a seemingly random direction and ended up here, where he was already waiting for her outside. This place was so beautiful but so quiet and devoid of people. John explained to her that long ago, this used to be the King's residence and was designed by the King himself, but his wife didn't approve of this place, as she didn't like to stay in the shade of trees all the time.

She also believed that children would need daylight to be healthy. And as it was mainly she who would be staying at home, as the King himself would spend most of the time away, the royal residence was moved closer to the palace, and eventually the buildings were merged, and that's how the King's residence was moved to the palace, and this old building was left without a true purpose.

Despite its beauty, not many would come here, as it is way too close to the King's residence, and when he is at home, his presence can be felt very strongly here, so no one wants to stay here for good. It is not suitable for training purposes and is way too beautiful, and it carries too much history to be used as a storage place. It was used a lot by the King's children as a playground when they were little, and Ruffus lived here for some time before becoming a general, but now it was mainly empty.

Old John would stay here on his visits, as he found this place very attractive, and the presence of the King doesn't bother him. Anniet couldn't disagree with him and thought as well that this place was very nice, much nicer than anything she had ever seen before. King probably wasn't at home, as she didn't feel any presence, whatever it was supposed to mean. So she stayed here all day, listening to John's stories and feeling as happy as a little child who doesn't have to think about a single worry in the world.

No, in fact, she could not remember herself ever feeling like this. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"I didn't know that Blake was met with resistance and opposition," she finally said after digesting what she had heard.

"I always thought that he had come and taken his place… No, actually, I didn't think even that. I didn't think about it at all. So did they show him his place?"

"I think so."

"Really?" Anniet was truly surprised. She could not imagine General Blake being bossed and pushed around, but then again, maybe in the past he was different.

"Well, his place was a general's position, and that's where he was forced to stay despite all his opposition and tantrums."

"Now I am truly lost," Anniet laughed at his words.

"How can anyone be forced into being a general?"

"It all depends on what you want, doesn't it? And Blake didn't join King's Army to be a general."

"So what did he come for?"

"To be under Rainee's command."

"And? What's the problem?"

"The problem is that generals don't serve other generals. Generals are not under anyone's command but the King's. So Blake wasn't happy. When he found out that, because of the high rank he acquired, he could not join Rainee's division, he requested a demotion."

"And what position did he get then?"

"General's."

"But he was already a general…"

"Yes, indeed. That's why he could not receive anything else. If he were appointed general by the King, then, sure enough, the King could take away what he had given and give something else. But it wasn't the case. He brought the status of general with him, and no one can take from you what you already are. As soon as he joined King's Army, he became a general; to lose this status, he had to leave King's Army. But by doing so, he would lose the right to be in Rainee's division anyway."

"So what did he do?"

"He threw a tantrum," John laughed.

"And what happened then?"

"Well, a tantruming general is a scary sight, so people got scared. They asked King to reprimand him, as no one else could."

"And what did King do?"

"King? He left."

"What do you mean by 'left'?"

"He stood up and walked off."

"No way…" Anniet couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"But what else could he do?" John laughed again.

"Now, Blake was a commanding officer, and those who wanted him to be restrained were under Blake's command. To restrain a commanding officer would mean to go against any rule, sensible or senseless. You are given a higher rank to have command over those who are below you, not vice versa. How can a general lead if those who are under his command can reprimand him? It would create true chaos. Maybe Blake wasn't leading at that time, but nevertheless, why should it be King's worry how he treats his subordinates?

If King thought that Blake was incapable of dealing with his position, then he could strip him of his title by kicking him out of his service. If he thought that Blake was capable of leading his army, then it wouldn't be very encouraging to reprimand him on the very first day. What authority would he have then? So he just left, leaving everyone to figure out their new positions by themselves."

"And what happened then?"

"Then? Everyone slowly or rapidly dispersed, leaving their newly born general on his own. W hat else can you do when someone stronger than you is rampaging? That is also a very good lesson for those in power. The strength you have might be great, and no one can take it away from you, but no one has to stay with you either. If you are inconsiderate of others, then why should others consider you? And a general on his own is a very lonely general.

It is not that Blake cared that much about it then, or maybe he doesn't care about it too much even now, but facts don't change, no matter whether he cares about it or not."

"So everyone left?"

"Not entirely. Rainee didn't leave, nor did Angus. They were not afraid of him. And not because of equal strength, but because they saw a person in distress under the general flaring with fury. When you see a person behind anger, it is difficult to leave that person. People who don't understand such action admire it a lot, call it by many names, such as bravery, true friendship and so on. They try to mimic it, praise it above other actions and say that this is the best way to act.

By doing so, they bring a lot of misunderstanding and damage. When you don't see the true person under expressed anger, then by staying, you can offer nothing else but fear, and can receive nothing else but abuse. You cannot force or talk yourself into seeing it, and pretence is powerless too. In that case, no matter how close that person is to you, the best action would be to leave and return when the anger is not there any more.

Otherwise, you just turn yourself into an absorbing sponge for this anger and reinforce the belief in the angry person that he has the right to be angry, and you have a responsibility to absorb that anger. Very damaging. But when you see the true person beneath the anger, then this anger will never bring you any damage, as it is simply not important, or even non-existent.

You don't absorb it, as you don't see it, and all that you feel for that person is true compassion, which you don't have to fake, or force on yourself a wish to help. I believe you have already experienced it yourself, but just didn't turn this experience into a logical explanation. And I must say it is difficult to explain it in words. So Rainee and Angus stayed and helped Blake to break through. Ruffus stayed for his own reasons.

The Prime Minister stayed, despite trembling in fear, just to show Blake that he was not afraid, not realising that n the state of distress Blake was in, he could not care less about the plays of power in a ruling government. General Jason stayed; he was not afraid, nor did he care too much for Blake. He was just annoyed that this immature person would have to be his colleague from now on, or so he thought at that time, and stayed to observe and learn more.

A few more people stayed, mainly to test their own bravery."

"And what happened then?"

"Then Rainee asked Blake to stop trashing the place and come with her, and he instantly agreed. That's how the myths and legends were born, saying that nobody else but the Rainbow General has power over this dark and angry general, who does not bow to or obey even the King himself, as the King doesn't have any power over him. And that only the Rainbow General's word is final, and he would obey it without fail." While telling this part, John was laughing to himself.

"Is it true?"

"Does it sound true to you?" Anniet shook her head in response.

"None of the people's beliefs are the truth. It cannot be. They are two different substances — truth is truth, so it cannot be a belief. And belief is belief, so it cannot be the truth. Very often, beliefs are based on truth; that's why they have such a strong grip on people. Truth is a very, very powerful substance, and just a drop of it in an otherwise fake belief strengthens that belief enormously. But still, it is just a belief.

To see truth, you have to let go of all beliefs because, as I said earlier, belief is not truth; it can only be based on truth, and while you hold on to it, replacing truth with belief, truth is invisible to you. No, what people believe is not the truth, but it has a droplet of truth in it. The King has as much power over Blake as over any other person. But people know very little about the King to be able to understand his actions.

No, you will not find much darkness in Blake; however, anger is a very dark emotion, and he is, how should I say… dissatisfied with his position from the very first day he received it. No, Rainee doesn't have any power over him, apart from the power that friendship brings. But isn't friendship one of the most powerful bonds? And no, Rainee's word is never final for Blake; it doesn't matter that this impression was strengthened immensely through the years, and sometimes even Blake himself believes it.

If that were the case, he would not have put himself in a very similar situation later later that day at an annual meeting, after Rainee had already asked him not to do it once. But the day is already coming to an end, and as I have been put in charge not only of your education but also for your well-being, I am afraid I have been neglecting my duties and might be found unworthy of ever performing such a task again.

Should I order dinner to be delivered here, or would you fancy going for a short walk to see the available options?" The thought of going to look around was very attractive. The thought of going to be looked at was very appalling… What should she do? All her insides were saying — hide. Stay where there are not too many spectators as long as possible. But how long can she hide? Hide from whom? She cannot hide from everyone.

Also, on the day when she will have to come out into the open, there might be no one with her, and it would be even more unpleasant to be on her own.

"I want to go for a walk," Anniet said after consideration.

"Will you come with me?" she asked with a little concern in her voice.

"I would be a poor guide if I didn't," Old John smiled, standing up.

"I know just the place you might like, and it is not too far away."