The Lieutenant and the pledge

From the outside, people would probably think I was crazy for placing so much faith in a cadet. However, they don’t know what I know and they haven’t seen what I’ve seen. It all started about a year ago, during that time our previous vice captain was promoted and was given a squad in a different territory. Me and Sneed both held the position of lieutenant, the fact that he was a man gave him an edge. He had the strength, the charisma, and the reputation to back it up. However, I made up for that with my brains and cunning. That alone gave me the power to challenge him in decision making, so in the end, Captain Victor came up with a proposal. We’d both be given a troublesome task, whoever solved theirs first would be made vice captain. Sneed was sent to the border to handle a territory dispute between the Alexandrian and Sapphirian military. Meanwhile, I was tasked with handling a situation that was economy focused.

“I can’t make heads or tails of this at all. It’s like a puzzle, and the pieces just aren’t fitting together.”

Recently there was a surge in narcotic smuggling, so I was in the city of Cymos to figure out how and why this was happening. So far I managed to piece together that one of the nobles in town was involved, but I need to find something more concrete if I want to make headway. Right before I could start thinking, I heard a knock on the door. The knock seemed a bit frantic, I sighed and addressed the person knocking.

“Hey, the door’s unlocked, you can just come in.”

“O-Oh! Thank you very-”

I was startled to realize that the figure knocking loudly was a woman, soon a young lady with red hair and green eyes came tumbling through the door. When I said tumbling I mean it, she opened the door and fell right into a roll. I jumped as she came rolling towards me, but she stopped herself before she could ram into me. She was sniffling as she looked up at me.

“*Sniff*...Hello, my name is Matilda Ferris. I’m a pledge who was sent here to assist you.”

She wasn’t quite an adult yet, most likely a year away from being eighteen. This girl, she’s just so damned cute! The way she speaks, the way she covers her cheeks, and that slight tremble. She’s like a cute whittle bunny rabbit, I-I want to hug her. I need to hug her.

“Uh, miss? Are you okay?”

I broke out of my trance and noticed the drool flowing from my mouth. Matilda looked at me like I was a hungry falcon, I approached her despite this. She cowered for a moment as I grabbed her hand with the both of mine. With hearts in my eyes, I introduced myself.

“Howdy, I’m Kesandra Platts! I’m ranked Lieutenant and I’m the most beautiful specimen of our squad. I look forward to spending more time with you…”

I started drooling again, this caused her to start whimpering. I saw honest to god bunny ears sprout on her head, but I decided to reel in my harassment before I got in trouble. I tried coaxing her out of her tears, but she was afraid of me. In the end I bought her some treats from the stalls here and she perked up again. Although she almost started crying again when she tripped and dropped all her treats. I helped her pick them up, which led to her conveying her apologies.

“Sorry Lieutenant, as you can see, I’m a bit of a klutz. I caused so much trouble back at base that they decided to ship me off to here.”

“Don’t say that, I’m sure there’s a mighty good reason for the captain sending you my way.”

Matilda heard my words, but she kept her head down and avoided my eyes. I was worried until I heard footsteps coming our way, I looked back to see Granny Hamon and Papi Jenkins coming over.

“What seems to be the trouble dolly?”

“Ah, no worries Granny. Just looking after a new recruit.”

They helped us pick up our goods, and went on their way. I thanked them and waved as they left, but Matilda was silent for some reason. It was like she was looking at something strange. Eventually we headed back to my inn room to discuss my plans for that night.

“I’m hot on the trail of finding out how this whole mystery fits together. I know you came here to help, but I want you to leave this one to me.”

“Wait, Lieutenant, I should warn you about something.”

I looked at Matilda, and took in her words for a moment. Warn me? What would she need to warn me about?

“Those two old people from before, I don’t think they were actually old people.”

Huh? Granny Hamon and Papi Jenkins, they’ve lived here for years. I know Matilda isn’t trying to question that authenticity, so I decided to ask what brought this on.

“Matilda, what are you talking about?”

“That hunch in their backs was practiced, not to mention their arms carried the muscles of middle aged men.”

Muscles? A practiced hunch? The nonsense she spouted sounded like fantasy, but Matilda kept going.

“It’s hard to notice with a naked eye, but their faces seemed false too.”

“What?”

“Their faces weren’t real, they’re a cover.”

At that point I was livid, you’re telling me granny’s adorable face was fake. Forget cuteness, I started wanting to clock Matilda for doubting the innocent. However, that's when she pushed the envelope.

“Their appearance was too coincidental, it was like they’ve been keeping an eye on you. Probably because you wore your armor and made it clear you were a knight. When they saw me earlier, we were dressed as civilians. They assumed I was a civilian at first, but then you said I was your squadmate. When they heard that, I saw their faces tense.”

You saw their faces tense, you’re telling me that a klutz who can’t even walk for five minutes without tripping, saw a visual cue I missed. I felt the nerves in my face tense, but the know-it-all kept going.

“There’s something going on here, you said you were hot on someone’s trail right. I don’t think you should go, clearly that person’s-”

I don’t know what came over me, but I slapped her. Matilda looked at me with a hurt expression, as she held her left cheek. That didn’t stop me, I grabbed her by the shoulders and got in her face.

“Know your place, you damned pledge! You’re not even a regular recruit yet and you’re trying to lecture me! One more word and-”

I stopped myself, Matilda looked at me with her eyes turning red. She was biting her lip, she wanted to say something but she stopped herself. I realized what I was doing, and released her. I finished getting ready and headed for the door.

“You shouldn’t have said all that, just stay put. That’s your best way to help me.”

I exited the room and closed the door, I immediately heard a body hit the floor and sobbing from the room I just left. I shouldn’t have done all that, she was just trying to help me, but when he disagreed with me I saw all those filthy men. I saw them ridiculing my opinions and telling me that I had no place on the battlefield. When she disagreed with me it felt like I was being called dumb by one of those bastards again. Sorry Matilda, once I get back I’ll treat you to some sweets to make up for this. I didn’t know it then, but I wouldn’t be keeping that promise I made to her.