The Pewter Mines assault operation

It was the dead of night, most of my men were resting for tomorrow’s operation. We’ll need our swords ready and our shields raised, neither of those can be done if we lack the necessary rest. Despite that I find myself dealing with the worries one of my men has.

“I see your point Sneed, but-”

“But nothing, Captain Victor, you and I both know Kesandra is nearing her limit. I’ve held my tongue out of respect for her condition, but if she joins us tomorrow. She won’t make it Captain, Kesandra will die!”

I looked at Sneed, his face carried more concern than I ever saw on him. I sighed realizing I couldn’t argue with his words, even though I knew Kesandra’s survival at this rate was slim. I chose our duty over my subordinate’s life, am I a soldier or a devil? However, despite all this I didn’t find myself at the bottom of a bottle. The reason for that is due to the face she had.

“A smile.”

“Sir?”

“I told her the same thing before this campaign started and she gave me a smile. Then she told me she’d beat the hell out of me if I kept her from joining this campaign.”

Sneed was taken aback, but eventually he settled. The reason being that what I just told him was exactly like her, and that was enough for him. Although, there was still a part that didn’t sit right with him.

“Still, using tomorrow’s operation to see if she has what it takes? It feels like too much for a cadet to handle.”

“I understand your worries, Sneed, but remember what Kesandra told us. It was Matilda’s insight that saved her life once, perhaps trusting that insight this one time wouldn’t hurt.”

Sneed looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end he accepted my words. Now the question is whether or not Matilda will live up to expectations.

****

It’s almost noon, and we were closing in on the Pewter mines. I won’t lie and say I’m not feeling nervous, but it’s too late to back out now. I need to give this my all and-

“Eek!”

I felt a sharp sting on my back, I turned my head to see Kesandra there smirking at me.

“Howdy Matty, now’s not the time to look scared. Those heathens will eat you up if you do.”

“Kesandra, that’s harassment you know!”

“Oh, well you wouldn’t charge a friend now would you?”

I wanted to pout at her and call her a dummy, but that’s probably what she wants me to do. Instead I opted to give her the silent treatment, leading to Kesandra begging me to speak to her. I kept up my silent act until hearing some of the side chatter from the regulars.

“It must be nice being the Vice’s favorite.”

“The Captain better watch out, she might try her ‘magic’ on him next.”

“Some people actually deserve to be here, you know.”

I guess they can’t help but be jealous of the rookie with the vice captain around her finger. Still, the fact that people would think so lowly of me stings. I was about to look downcast, but Kesandra placed her hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t let the jeers of your lessers affect you, keep your head held high. You’re meant for so much more.”

“Kesandra…”

“I wouldn’t say this if I didn’t believe it myself, that said there’s nothing wrong with-”

Before she could finish, Kesandra started to cough. I was worried for a moment, but she said she was fine. Oddly enough, while she was coughing, I noticed the captain and the lieutenant looking over here. The captain decided to call everyone in for a squad meeting, that’s when he dropped a bombshell on us.

“Cadet Ferris, you’ll be our strategists for this excursion.”

“What!?!”

I wasn’t the only one who was confused, everyone looked at the captain as if he had gone mad. Why on Theia should I be the strategists for this campaign? I was gonna raise an argument, but Kesandra held me in place with a surprise hug. Leaving Scott to raise the objection.

“Sir, letting this idiot act as our brain would be a terrible idea.”

“Private Scott, are you saying you have a problem with my charge?”

“Wha-No sir! I wouldn’t even dream of it!”

“Then you’ll adhere to my orders and obey her plans.”

What’s going on, the other day Captain Victor treated my opinions like an afterthought, but now he wants me to lead the charge against the enemy. Is the captain okay? Did he eat some bad mushrooms or something? I didn’t have time to argue, within a few minutes of extra travel, we eventually made it to the Pewter mines. Without hesitation, the captain and vice captain looked at me for my opinion. I peered over at the mine entrance unguarded and surrounded by rock formations. I looked over to the captain and informed him of our plans.

“I don’t think we should enter through the route, we should go explore a different entry point.”

The captain closed his eyes and nodded, the lieutenant kept his mouth shut, but Scott had just about heard enough.

“Bulls***! This is all bulls***!”

“Private Scott, get a hold of-”

“No Lieutenant, you and the Captain have gone mad! I can’t trust your say anymore, men follow me to battle! Today we save the princess!”

Despite his idiotic words, Scott managed to pull a vast majority of our squad to his side. They began running towards the cave entrance, while they did I examined the map we had of the area. There was no mention of those rock formations, on top of that the formations looked unnatural. Don’t tell me-

“Wait, those rock formations are-”

I was too late, immediately the bandits dropped their disguises and held the others hostage. The captain began to furiously pinch the bridge of his nose, and the lieutenant buried his head in shame. Even Kesandra was embarrassed by their stupidity, what’s worse was that Scott wasn’t done.

“You foolish dogs! Release us and we may yet-”

Scott’s words led to the knight beside him getting shot in the head, he wiped the blood from his cheek and screamed in horror. The captain looked toward the lieutenant and nodded, they prepared to rally whatever troops didn’t join Scott’s foolishness. Before they could move out, I decided to stop them.

“Wait, I have an idea. It’s a bit gross, but it should work in this situation.”

Everyone looked at me, and their faces turned to ones of disgust hearing what I had in mind. Although, considering the situation, I believe a little punishment is in order.