Page 67 of Forcing Fate

I don’t even think anyone dared to breathe.

As Sergeant Briggs dragged the whimpering man down the aisle, I peeked at Willhelm. He was frowning, but didn’t appear the least bit shocked. Was breaking arms an everyday occurrence? Is that how they enforced the rules here? I shuddered at the thought.

“Now,” Commander Dewal started again as the two men exited the tent, “If anyone else is prone to giggling fits like a bunch of schoolgirls, you may leave. We don’t need your kind on the front.”

The Commander didn’t glimpse my direction, though a few nearby did. No one dared say a word.

“This road will not be easy. It was paved with the lifeblood of other men—not for you to laugh at, or play soldier. Whatever issues exist at home, you left them. Whatever pretty lass you left back in the hay, you left her there. Forget about her, forget about them. You signed up to be soldiers, men. You signed your life away on a little scrap of paper.” His tone carried indisputable authority.

“You’re ours now. You belong to the King. If I tell you to lick my boot, you do so without question. If I tell you to walk east till your feet fall off, you do it.” He jerked a finger, pointing upward. “If I tell you to jump to the top of this tent, you’ll find a way to do it.

“You will live and breathe the army. When you wake, your first thought will be of your King. Your second will be how you can better fight the enemy. You will ache—you will ache until you think you will die, and then ache some more. You will learn to fight, and you will take pride in that.

“We are fighting the Shadows, recruits. They don’t play around and tickle you with feathers. They will gut your friends in front of you. They will sever your limbs from your body and toy with you to see how long you last. They will cut out your eyes and shove them down your gullet.”

He paused, arching an eyebrow high as his eyes passed over those seated. “Let me make this abundantly clear; if you’re not cut out for this, leave now. Yes, I’ll think you’re a coward for it, as will everyone here. All the same, the option is there.” He stopped his speech and clasped his hands behind his back. Rocking back on his heels, he waited. It felt as if his sharp stare landed on each and every person in the tent.

A few recruits slunk out, most being younger men. I would guess they were still in their teens. They allowed those as young as the tender age of fifteen to join the ranks, though most that young never made it to the front.

When Commander Dewal’s gaze found mine, I shivered and held my chin high, staring straight at him. I would not back down. I knew why I was here, and I knew it would be hard. It would be harder still if I made it to the front in four years.

I could, and I would do this.

His scrutiny slipped to another recruit, and my breath rushed from my lungs. Thus far, the Commander had not singled me out or commented on my gender. I appreciated that.

He waited a few more minutes, allowing ample time for us to rethink our choice and leave.

“Splendid. Now that we’ve got the stupid ones in here, let’s go through the trials, shall we? We will see if you’re tough enough for the title of soldier. Step in line.”

He stepped off the platform, with more spring in his step than I thought he would be capable of at his age, and headed toward the opening. Willhelm jerked his head for me to follow, and I stood with the rest and hurried to catch up.

The men shifted as if they were unguided. I simply followed the orders that he gave. ‘Step in line.’ I put myself a few paces behind the Commander and trailed him as he strode to the training fields.

I watched his posture and his steps, trying to mimic them. He held his chin high and marched with purpose and strength. He moved as if he had steel for bones, as if nothing ever brought him down. I wanted to walk with such confidence.

He led us to a training field I was somewhat familiar with. The logs, fences, mud pit, and climbing net were all things I fixed while assisting the General. I scanned the field and obstacles when I spied an unwelcome figure. General Rafe stood in the shadow of a building close to the course. He stood there completely at ease, his arms crossed, chin down, inspecting the recruits with a dark glower. His eye found mine and I swear my blood pounded just a little faster when a smirk lifted the corner of his mouth.

Today, an eye patch replaced the scrap of cloth he normally wore. The patch was much smaller, revealing angry, red scars that streaked in a sunburst pattern from where his eye should’ve been. I shuddered, imagining the force behind whatever brutality caused it.

“Soldiers!” Commander Dewal barked, pulling me from my thoughts.

I jerked to stand at attention as if I had a string tied to the top of my head, lifting me up. The Commander spun on his heel and did a second glance at me, but didn’t falter.

“This will be the first test of your strength and determination. If you fail, you return to whatever rabbit hole you came out of.” His crystal blue eyes flashed to me. “You’re up soldier!”

What had I done?

Horrified, I realized I would be the first to run the gambit. All eyes would be on me, searching for weaknesses, watching my mistakes to make sure they did better.

I was in a dress.

For once, I felt as though my gender rendered me inadequate. How was I supposed to scale the netting twenty paces high, modestly? How was I supposed to climb over the chest-high log, or the wall six paces in the air without my dress coming up, or ripping?

Commander Dewal checked the hourglass hanging off the starting fence and noted the time. “Go!”

I didn’t think—I ran. These recruits would see what I was made of. I would show General Rafe that I was strong enough to handle this. I could do this.

My heart beat a wild rhythm as I jumped the first small log. I threw myself at the second obstacle—the rope netting. I climbed as fast as I could, careful not to tear my hands. Reaching the top, I launched over and almost lost my footing, but managed to secure myself and climb down.

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