Page 75 of Forcing Fate

I glared straight ahead, watching the rest of the recruits perform their task. Several men needed a leg up, but none fell off like I did. Embarrassing was an understatement.

We finished up with the horses and headed to the Healers’ quarters at the third chime. It was time for physical examinations.

By working us hard, the Commander and General weeded through most of the men attempting to hide their ailments. Still, all recruits needed to pass a Healer’s inspection before they could officially join the ranks. The Healers allowed many things. Once, I saw a soldier with only one arm. He’d been born that way and could do everything a soldier was required to do. He compensated without compromising, and he was permitted to stay. If men had a disease or ailment, Healers appraised them. They inspected their overall health and had the final say if they didn’t find their current state suitable.

We lined up, and General Rafe walked away from Commander Dewal as we readied for inspection. A Healer fastened his eyes on the retreating General’s back and squinted. He said something to his assistant, and the young boy darted off to catch him. When the boy reached General Rafe, he stopped in front of him, but the General kept walking, barreling into him and shoving him to the side. The assistant called out to him and gestured to his eye, but the General ignored him and just kept walking. The boy shrugged and headed back to the Healer, who glared after the General but motioned for a recruit to come stand before him.

The row of five Healers had their stations set up in the shade of their quarters. Various instruments littered their tables, and each had an assistant at their side. One female Healer looked up and frowned when she spotted me. Though it surprised me to see another woman in the barracks, I didn’t make a face. I had dealt with female Healers in the past, but I was shocked to see they were allowed in the barracks. I fixed my gaze straight ahead, standing at attention.

When a recruit at the first table removed his tunic, my jaw clenched tight. As he started for his belt, I focused on the building’s wooden planks with all of my might.

Did they honestly offer no privacy? Did they make the soldiers strip right here? Resignation beat my spirit in waves as I realized that would be the line I was not willing to cross. I would not remove my clothing in front of a group of men. I would not bear my skin for their ridicule. I valued myself more than that.

“Recruit!”

Disheartened, I stared hard at that wooden plank and didn’t notice a Healer had approached me. I straightened my spine at the harsh female voice and looked straight ahead.

“Recruit!” She moved directly in front of me. “What are you doing?!” she bit out. Her dark hair was tucked into a braid, and her green eyes flashed in outrage.

“Waiting for inspection, ma’am!” I barked.

“Waiting for—Commander Dewal!” She threw a hand at me in exasperation as she turned to face the oncoming Commander. “What is this girl doing here?!”

“Girl? This is a recruit.”

“You’re recruiting girls now? I thought the only women your kind recruited were the whores in the village.”

I cringed, fighting to keep my face neutral.

“She has enlisted as a soldier,” Commander Dewal ground out as he stepped closer.

“What kind of game is this?!” she demanded.

“It is no game. Complete your examination, Healer. Don’t waste my time with useless questions.”

“How old are you?” She spun back to me.

“Seventeen-winters, ma’am!”

“Seventeen—by the sun’s bright light! Commander! A girl of seventeen?!”

He simply glared, making no motion to reply.

“I will fail her,” she huffed.

Commander Dewal shrugged. “Then fail her. You would be doing me a favor.”

“Surely, you have only strung her along this far for amusement’s sake.”

He cast her a bored glance. “Do I look like the type of man to be amused?”

“Of all the dung-heaps of men–” She turned her bristling gaze on me. “Follow me.”

I stepped in line after her as she led me past the row of tables.

“Rashel! Where are you going with my recruit?!” Commander Dewal yelled after us.

“Wherever I please. Now go back to commanding or I’ll pull inspection on you and fail you!” she shouted without turning around.

---