"Yooo! Man! Have you heard—"
"Heard what?!" a suddenly curious officer asked, already leaning in.
"Ahem."
Marshal Julian appeared like he'd spawned straight out of a shadow. The two unsuspecting soldiers nearly collided as they snapped to attention, parting so fast it looked like someone had set them on fire.
"Marshal!"
They saluted so hard that one of them almost smacked himself in the face.
Only then did they dare glance up.
And immediately wished they hadn't.
The man looked like he hadn't slept in a year.
Which was startling, considering that just a week ago, he had looked so suspiciously rejuvenated that people couldn't help but assume he had found the fountain of youth.
But now?
He looked like all that youth had filed a formal complaint and left.
Yikes.
The only logical survival tactic was to salute and run as far as humanely possible.
Unfortunately, before either soldier could initiate their escape, two firm hands landed on their shoulders.
