The Red Slash is a Federation attack force consisting of five hundred soldiers handpicked by Commander Dallen Usurient, who is also the military unit's founder. It was founded ten years before the death of Aphenglow Elessedil, Ard Rhys of Paranor.
Unlike most Federation forces which are primarily concerned with defense, the Red Slash serves as a preemptive strike force that is empowered to act against any threats to the Federation's empire, even if these threats are not directed toward any Federation cities.
Usurient and most of the Red Slash are slain at the Horn of Honor in Sterne by the sorcerer Arcannen, who uses Reyn Frosch's wishsong to immobilize Usurient and his soldiers before burning them to death. Arcannen targeted Usurient and the Red Slash out of revenge, for the Slash had destroyed the coastal pirate town of Arbrox because it had been sheltering Arcannen.
The Red Slash is not mentioned again after it is decimated at the Horn of Honor, implying that the unit only existed so long as Usurient was around to lead it.
Notable Members
- Dallen Usurient — Founder and commander of the Red Slash. A violent and bloodthirsty man, he shows no emotion witnessing the murder of all those in Arbrox, apart from disappointment that Arcannen is not in Arbrox and therefore safe. It is strongly implied that a driving force behind his founding of the Red Slash was a desire for more freedom to launch attacks at will and against a wider swath of perceived threats.
- Desset — A spy for Dallen Usurient.