Page 34 of Forcing Fate

When I dared to view the soldiers, they only had eyes for the General, though the Captain scowled at me. Whether his scowl was disapproval of General Rafe’s actions, or my own refusal to call on a man to defend my honor, I didn’t quite know.

Either way, I wasn’t there to impress him. I was there for my own gains; to help General Rafe and learn what I could from him. I wouldn’t be bothered by a man whose disapproval did not affect my duty.

Chapter Ten

I had been correct. The sun was high and hot in the sky. I spent my morning averting my gaze as men walked about, bare of their tunics. Not all soldiers paraded around half-naked, though. When the General offered them the option, some sent nervous glances my way and remained clothed.

True to his word, General Rafe found many things for me to do. I fetched water for the soldiers and fixed any obstacles on the training course that came loose. Most of the men ignored me after they adjusted to my presence.

It didn’t take long till mud drenched the hem of my skirts and smeared my skin. Even so, I enjoyed it. I worked hard, completing each task he threw at me with utmost diligence. Through it all, I kept my attention focused on General Rafe’s instructions for the soldiers, absorbing any details I could.

He dictated various challenges for them to tackle, such as completing an obstacle with their eyes closed or their hands bound. And he gave pointers on how to increase speed and dexterity through different courses. When a soldier had improper form, or used the wrong set of muscles for a task, he taught them a better way to accomplish it.

All in all, I was learning, and I would take that without complaint.

In as few words as possible, General Rafe revealed that the Shadow Men often attacked using potions and poisons. Some of which caused temporary blindness, or even interim paralysis. He explained that no matter what havoc they unleashed, soldiers could either keep fighting or retreat. To halt and nurse any wounds was not an option.

I squinted against the sun, pushing a log that had been knocked out of place by a cadet, when the Captain called for midday meal. General Rafe glared at him and I half expected him to give the company some statement about how a soldier on the battlefield had no time to eat. Just as the thought came to my mind, a wicked smile crossed his face. I straightened, wiping the sweat from my brow, and shaded my eyes from the sun.

“Attention!” he barked, his frown falling back into place.

I trudged through the mud pit, holding my dress as high as I modestly could, making my way to the line of soldiers. A young lad, a bit on the heavier side, was the most recent to run the gambit. He gasped for air, trying hard to stand up straight. Sweat drenched his tunic. He had refused to strip out of it, for my sake, and I was sure that wearing it contributed to his heaving breaths.

Dropping my muddied skirts, I stood to the side, trying not to draw attention to myself. The soldiers and their Captain waited for General Rafe’s instruction with curious expressions.

“You’ll have your midday meal,” he stated, and a few cadets dared to sigh their relief, “but not from the dining hall.”

That snapped all their attention back to him. The Captain frowned, as did I. The cadets had a grueling morning, exhausting so much energy. The dining hall had plenty of nutritious food to replenish their reserves. If not there, where else would they get it?

“You will eat what you hunt or forage. Meet back here by next chime.”

My stomach dropped, and the men groaned. General Rafe’s glare cut through their ranks.

“On the front, you don’t always have the courtesy of a dining hall. You never know when your limited store of food has been tainted by the Shadows. To survive, you must rely on your wits and prowess.” He spread his arms, gesturing to the open field. “Anyone who complains will remain here and run the course till sundown.”

The soldiers trudged off, clearly disheartened, and I shifted on my feet, unsure what to do next. I looked at the ground when General Rafe’s gaze met mine. I had managed to avoid looking at him during the morning and was sure he would either dismiss me for my midday meal or order me to do another task.

“Well?” he inquired.

When I looked up, he stared at me with a questioning brow raised.

“Begging your pardon. Did you ask a question?”

“That order was for you, too.”

My eyes narrowed. What game was he playing? All week he treated me as if I were a worthless girl, and now he ordered me about as if I was his soldier. I gave a tart nod and spun on my heel, walking a few paces before noting his shadow looming behind. He was following me. I glanced over my shoulder, scrunching my face up in confusion.

“Proceed,” he said, smirking. He waved ahead, urging me on.

I wasn’t sure if his presence trailing me through the barracks put me at ease. Surely, with him as my escort, no man would bother me, yet his unyielding attention set me on edge.

Glancing at the sun for guidance, I headed to the southern edge of the barracks. The forest that bordered the school grounds had to reach this far. At least, I hoped they did. I had no prowess with a bow or knife, and I knew next to nothing of trapping. Yet even a girl such as I was not helpless when it came to finding my own food. I had served in the kitchen often enough to learn what I could and could not eat from the woods.

I crossed the empty training fields with the giant mountain of a man close behind. With an inward cringe, I thought of the prickleberry incident. Familiar anger stirred, tightening my chest, and I peered back to see General Rafe eyeing the treeline ahead, before his gaze slid to mine. Another confident smirk curled his lips.

What I would do to wipe that smirk off his face.

At the edge of the woods, I scoured the thick brambles for the easiest entry. A small game trail opened in a thinner section and I took a step toward it before stopping and turning.

---