The shadows were circling around me. I felt my vision shutter in and out of focus as if I was stuck in a painful daze. My head and heart pounded in near unison as the walls began to close...
“... what are we going to do?...” My voice was weak and strained.
“...You trust me, right?” That voice seemed familiar. The darkness was closing in, I knew it. I knew it was the end. I could only see him for a second. The form of a child. A young boy. His face soon slipped into the darkness that enveloped me... And it was gone … Everything …
“RING, RING, RING!!!”
The bells rang as I peeled my sore body from the cloth beneath me. My muscles still ached from training the day before. I gritted my teeth and pushed on, it was not like I could excuse myself. I needed to retain my station, continue to be an example. I couldn’t let my men see weakness when I was their commander. Men in my position didn’t entertain such thoughts of weakness and neither could I.
I pulled on my commanders uniform, buckled my belt, fastened my weapon and approached the exit to my tent. The motion of a shadow at the base of the doorway made me pause. My mind wandered back to the dream; shadows moving in; the pain I’d felt. I had experienced it many times before, but for the life of me, I’d never been able to determine the origins of such a dream. They plagued my nights.
I pushed aside the thin fabric and stepped into the darkness of early morning, as the chill winds brushed my face, leaving behind the dream and anything unrelated to the days duties.
“Captain, Good Morning!” I said as I recognized the individual waiting outside.
Captain Williams had been my superior for as long as I could remember. I enlisted when I was sixteen, but as a family friend, I'd known him long before that. When I told my father of my intent to join, he made sure to speak to Captain and have me placed under his supervision, which was his only rule in my volunteering. That way, Captain would be able to ensure my safety.
Captain Williams was a tall and brutish man. I wouldn't say he was particularly poor looking, but then again he had always been family to me. His brown eyes held flakes of orange and were that particular kind of menacing, where stepping out of line was met with a look that could seriously kill. Captain William’s hair was a burnt auburn, though these days the grey hairs were starting to show. He was a stern man, but I knew, nonetheless, he’d his moments of joy just like the rest of us. He was just sure to not show it on his face, or in his demeanor in any way. His men would never have believed me if I were to divulge his hidden nature.
“We have much to discuss.” He said as he motioned for me to follow. “The movements of The Sins have become more aggressive. I have been informed that they are planning to mobilize before the next moon.”
“We will begin making preparations immediately,” I said ready to return to my men.
His face became stern, even more so than usual. “While I appreciate your enthusiasm I have already planned accordingly.”
“Excuse my impertinence, but if you are already prepared for this, then what might you need to discuss with me?” My perplexed look must have been obvious.
He exhaled, and I could tell he was not excited about the information he was about to part with. “Commander Rex will be taking over your duties for the time being.” I held in the increasing level of frustration as he informed me that my men would be under the command of an arrogant ass like Rex. “... This is not a punishment.”, he continued. “I have a job that only you may be able to accomplish, and it must be discreet.” The look on his face said what we both already knew… discreet was not exactly my strength.
“Anything for my country sir,” I responded, half out of habit.
“Good. You may select one subordinate to accompany you.” His face curved slightly, in what most people may even consider a smile. Though he quickly turned away. “Please make your decision by dusk. We will meet again during the evening dismissal.”
“Thank you, sir!”
I returned to the front of my tent and saw, during my absence, the men had not hesitated to begin their morning duties. The camp was abuzz with the voices of excitement. The news of our potential departure must have reached them. This training camp had been a rather unpleasant one for them and I had no intention of making it any easier. I didn’t create the strongest military unit in the Royal Empire by allowing them to become soft during times of peace. I fought to ensure they were the hardest working, best-trained unit, in Her Majesty's forces, although I had recently come to realize, I may have been projecting my own need to prove myself onto my men, then again I did simply enjoy setting up these two-week training camps for them. Many of my men had come to affectionately refer to them as “Hell week”. The thought brought a smile to my face, that was until I remembered who would be taking over control of the unit I had so proudly led to this point, temporarily.
I walked to the morning chow line and addressed each soldier as I passed. My men were accustomed to this routine and most of the responses were respectful, albeit a little impersonal. I stopped as I noticed a familiar shouting coming from the tables set up to my left.
“... YOU CHEATED!”
“Hey! Can't we get along?... Here, take it back. It's not worth the fight.”
Three men stood around a table, two of which were obviously having a disagreement. The third stood above the others, his hands raised and smiling kindly at each of them. I couldn't help but grin as I saw him. He was up to the same antics as always. He’d had an innate ability, not only to be in the middle of a problem but also for resolving these sorts of things.
His blonde hair was tied up in a tight bun. He always tried to maintain high standards in front of the men and it showed. The uniform suited him well and his tall figure was hard to miss in the light of day. He easily had a foot on me in height, though that is how he’d been for many years.
Liam had been my friend for nearly longer than I could remember. He had to step in on my behalf a few times over the years, although I’ve done the same for him more times than I can count.. Liam had always had my back no matter the challenges. When I decided to enlist, he did so as well. We promised each other long ago that we would be together as long as The Gods would allow.
“Commander,” Liam said as I looked up to meet his gaze. The men who were bickering only a moment ago quickly regained their composure and sat down to eat in reverence. Liam's smile spread wide as he approached.
“How are you this morning my commander?” He said as he bowed his head.
Without much thought, I took my palm lightly and thumped him. His crown knocked sideways so our eyes met, with the grin still spread across his face. “Liam, how many times have I told you not to be so formal?”
At the sight of that grin, I felt my face become warm. I looked away and began to observe the men in their morning routines. Some were eating while others were cleaning, though the most excited of the bunch were already beginning to pack their things. I had announced we would be convoying out today and I cannot tell you how excited they were.
“These men really do look up to you. You know that?” Liam’s voice came from my right. He was gazing out across the encampment as well.
“Hmm...about that, I need to steal a moment of your time Lieutenant.” His gaze dropped to me. It was not often I used such formal titles with my old friend, but considering what I was going to request of him, it felt appropriate.
“Of course,” He said bowing his head again. I resisted the urge to smack him and guided him into the commander's tent. He followed close behind. “Liam, there have been some changes. Beginning after dismissal tonight I will be reassigned. I am not sure how long the change will be, or what I will be doing for that matter. However, I am able to bring a member of my team to accompany me on this mission.”
“With respect Commander,” he began, his face serious, “no matter the mission, or what you will request of me, I will always be by your side.” I could see that familiar fire in his eyes. I had seen this look from him many times before, pure determination.
“Good. I look forward to this new opportunity that awaits us. I will be informing the unit of the change at dismissal tonight.” I cringed at the thought of what I needed to say next. “The unit will be under the command of Rex until such time as our return.”
I could see the anger on his face before he spoke. “That pig-headed pompous bastard will be leading your unit?”
There had been bad blood between Liam and Rex for many years, I knew he wouldn't take the news well. You see, when Liam and I were still rather new in the force, we were placed on a mission with a new Lieutenant, Rex. He was to lead us on a support mission, delivering supplies and resources to an encampment on the far end of the country. It was a rather tedious mission to send such a high ranking official on, however, the cargo was important and he was sent along as our commanding officer.
When we first met Rex, his immediate disdain for the situation, as well as us, permeated the interaction. Initially, we were in the view of high ranking officials so nothing was said. He simply nodded respectfully and accepted his orders without complaint, as we all did.
Once we’d made it outside however, that was another story. One of the soldiers under Rex decided to pay Liam and me, a visit. We were loading the cargo when a few men approached from the rear. They were senior soldiers. The blunt of a sword rained down on the back of my skull before I even registered what was happening, I fell to the ground and Liam came around swinging. He was still rather new as a fighter and it was far from a fair quarrel. With both of us disabled on the ground, I got to hear, from Rex, how much he detested the idea of anyone allowing a pitiful woman to join his royal army. It only en-angered me and I should honestly credit the man, since if it was not for his distasteful and indecent actions, I may not have been so driven to achieve what I then had. Needless to say, the man is an ass.
“Lieutenant,” I addressed Liam, “remember, this is a Commander in the Royal Army you are speaking of.“ No matter my level of agreement with him, I could not allow his rank, or life, to be put in jeopardy by such rash statements. “But, yes. Commander Rex will be taking over the command of this unit during the time we are attending to other matters.”
His face was stern as I finished explaining the details of our unit's transfer of command. Before we were able to talk about anything besides the business required, I was pulled away to attend to other matters. I informed him of my intent to meet with him at the end of the day where we would be debriefed on the details of our assignment.
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