Someone I can call a friend

“Brrrr, why is the water so freezing!”

While I cleaned my body, vice captain Kesandra tended to my armor. Once I was clean I decided to lay back in the water for a while. I started thinking about the abuse I suffered at the hands of the horses. Due to the importance of our current task, the captain’s been pushing everyone too hard. The horses were also a casualty, their meal time was cut down significantly. Due to that, they’ve shown irritation when dealing with their riders. When I was forced with saddling duties, I became their favorite punching bag. Then the captain arrived after I was halfway done, and once they calmed down a bit. He used me so he wouldn’t have to take the brunt of his actions, thinking like that fueled me with anger. Why do I need to get chastised for my boss’ antics, shouldn’t it be the other way around? To make matters worse, even my fellow soldiers treat me like the group punching bag.

“Damn it, I’m being treated like an ass!”

I found myself thrashing the water in anger, but at the end I calmed myself. My father needs that money, so I must control myself. On top of that, I have no power in this situation. The rank system for knight squads like these are pledge, cadet, regular, private, lieutenant, vice captain, and captain. It’s a miracle that vice captain Kesandra is on my side, otherwise I’d have no support here. I feel so stressed, I just want to walk up to one of those jerks and punch them, but at the same time my family needs the money.

“...So in the end, nothing will change.”

I sat in the water, realizing just how trapped I am.

****

By the time I finished my bath, the vice captain finished cleaning my armor. I received it and admired the sheen.

“It’s spotless, you wouldn’t believe I was being kicked dead by horses a half hour ago.”

“I even sprinkled some perfume, can’t have you smelling like a pigsty can we.”

“Vice Captain, I didn’t smell that bad….did I?”

I began smelling my cover-alls, only to detect a faint odor emanating from them. I wanted to jump back into the lake again, but the vice captain came over and started smelling me.

“Vice Captain Kesandra! Are you part dog!?!”

“Nope, but if I was, I would be elegant. That said, the smell isn’t so bad.”

That’s a relief, I didn’t feel like hearing any more jeers from my squad members. Thinking like that, I decided to ask the vice captain something that weighed on my mind.

“Vice Captain-”

“Enough of that, just call me Kesandra.”

“Huh, but-”

“Ke.San.Dra.”

She gave me one of her trouble making looks, that means she’s not backing down from this. I guess I don’t really have a choice.”

“...K-Kesandra?”

“Good, so what’s up my adorable subordinate.”

“Well, why are you always being nice to me?”

Kesandra stared at me puzzled for a moment, then she looked at me as if I grew two heads.

“Is it really so odd, I mean in the first place we’re the only ladies apart of this squad.”

“...Huh, that's the only reason you need!?!”

“Well that, and also you’re always putting yourself out there for our sake.”

…Huh? I’m always putting myself out there? I looked at Kesandra and she looked back at me with sincere eyes.

“What you thought I wouldn’t notice your efforts, despite being treating you like that, you always do your best for everyone’s sakes. You don’t even wear a scowl on your face, you swallow your grievances and push forward.”

Kesandra placed her hand on her heart as she spoke to me.

“There’s no way I couldn’t love someone who works that hard, so no matter what happens. When you need someone in your corner, come to me okay. You can trust big sis Kesandra.”

I felt a mixture of emotions: joy, confusion, astonishment, but at the moment what I felt most was gratitude.

“Waaaaahhhhhhh, Kesandra!”

I ran into her arms and held her so hard her armor creaked.

“Hey now, I know I wanted your love and affection, but this is too soon. People will think you’re and easy mark if they see you like this.”

“Big sis, those guys are so mean to me. I try so hard and they treat me like filth, I want to punch them so much, I want to tell them their mothers would be upset with them, but I can’t open my mouth.”

“...It’s okay Matty, it’s okay.”

I felt like I was a child, but I didn’t care. It’s been so long since I had someone to talk to, since I had someone in my corner. Finally, at long last I finally feel safe again.