The Cadet's Woes

The next morning in the goblin cave, Opal found herself handling tasks with renewed vigor. Whintey and Penma were pleasantly surprised by her newly found strength, not realizing where that strength came from. Opal made it her goal to make up for the lives she took, even if she died trying. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to her, it appeared she had pursuers following her tail.

****

It was a warm day, the sun was draining all the energy I had. My arms screamed at me for a break, but I have to hurry up or else-

“Cadet Ferris!”

“Eek!”

I turned to see the captain watching me, his eyes were as black as coals.

“You were told to have our horses loaded in ten minutes, tell me why it's been thirty.”

“I-I’m so sorry sir, I have everything finished as soon-”

“Don’t try to butter me cadet, get out of here and leave it to the professionals!”

The captain pointed towards camp and sent me on a walk of shame. I kept my head downcast as I walked away, it looks like I messed up again. As I made my way back to camp, the regulars in our band started to throw jeers at me.

“There goes Messy Matty again, I wonder how she pissed off the captain this time?”

“It’s honestly a miracle they haven’t tossed her out on her ass yet.”

“How did she graduate past pledge rank anyway.”

…*Sigh* You guys know I can hear you right? It’s not like I want to mess up the simplest task, it's just so hard. It’s even worse due to my natural clumsiness, maybe I shouldn’t be here. Originally I wanted to take up a job as a maid, but I failed my entry trials. My last option was to join the military, it was my only option to raise the money I needed.

“I hope Dad’s okay…”

My father’s arm was badly damaged a long time ago, the lasting effects of the old wound grew with time. To not put pressure on my mother I took on the duty of raising the funds to help my father. I’ve been able to afford some treatment, but that won’t be enough. In order to completely cure my father’s ailments, I need to be promoted to a higher position. However, due to my clumsiness, that task is easier said than done. Since I was focused on my thoughts, I paid no heed to where I was going. This ended up leading me to bump into someone.

“Oh, sorry about that.”

“Hmph, leave it to a dog like you to not watch where you're heading.”

The sound of his voice made me shudder, I looked up to see Lieutenant Sneed. Following behind him was Private Scott, giving me a smirk. It goes without saying that most of the high ranks in our squad don’t like me. I found myself backing away in fear, the lieutenant pressing forward and looking at me in disdain.

“Have you any idea what you’ve done? Do you not see the dirt you’ve placed on my visage?”

I looked at the lieutenant's face and noticed a speck of mud on his cheek and a dirt print on his armor. I then looked down at myself, my body was covered in filth. I tried to cover my muddied armor, embarrassed that I was walking around like this. My shame didn’t stop the lieutenant from seeing me as an insect, nor did it stop his words.

“I have no idea why our Captain allows you to muddy our company, but the least you can do is know your place.”

“That’s right trash, the least you can do is practice not being a bump in the road. Hey Lieutenant, we should do something about her.”

Private Scott, you have no right to bully me. Your skills are far behind everyone else's, the only reason you rose through the ranks is because you’re a good yes man. I wanted to shout that in his face, but I stopped myself. I’m of a lower rank and I can’t afford to start a fight. As for the lieutenant, he raised a brow as he considered Scott’s opinion. He then addressed me.

“Scott has a point, stand still Cadet Ferris. You’ll be receiving a thousand lashings.”

The “thousand lashings” was a term used for punishing a subordinate, usually by beating them senseless. The lieutenant began to reach for his sword, I started to tremble, I could already feel the cold steel against my skin. I closed my eyes and forced back my urge to scream, I could hear the lieutenant’s sword moving out its sheath. Gods please help me!

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Everyone’s gaze followed the sound of the voice, it was Vice Captain Kesandra.

“Vice Captain, what’re you-”

“Silence welp, but as she said. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“That depends, I hope you weren’t planning to harm this girl after she got kicked around by our horses.”

The vice captain stared at those two like they were mice, I wanted to smile upon seeing Scott squirm. As for the lieutenant, he fought against Kesandra’s gaze.

“This simpleton bumped into me, so it’s only natural-”

“It’s only natural for you to let her go, she’s messy after taking one for the team. On top of that, pulling your sword on a young lady, have you no shame. You call yourself a knight?”

The lieutenant glared at the vice captain for her words, she stared back at him almost like she was setting a trap. The lieutenant sighed and removed his hand from his sword.

“Come Scott, we have our orders.”

“Y-yes sir.”

The two of them passed by, but not before Scott bumped me in the shin. The vice captain looked like she wanted to bite his head off, but I quietly pleaded with her. After a long silence, the vice captain addressed me.

“*Sigh* You’re too good, you know that right.”

“They don’t mean any harm, although their jeers do hurt.”

“If they hurt then talk back.”

I wanted to agree with her, I wanted to say next time I’ll stand my ground. Instead I looked down to avoid eye contact and re-entered my shell. The vice captain saw this and sighed.

“Come on, there’s a fresh stream nearby. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

“O-Okay!”

The vice captain smirked as she told me I looked like a mud pie, I fought my urge to turn red because any more heat than this would harden the mud caked around me. *Sigh* I wonder if we’ll succeed with our mission, with finding the missing princess that is.