by A. J. Walker
Theodor recoiled with regret. He slowly turned to face the stranger. As he did, he kept his eyes half closed, cringing, expecting an angry fist to fly at his nose.
“Hello,” a friendly voice said. “Do you always look like you’re trying to pinch a loaf?”
Theodor relaxed a bit and opened his eyes to see lad of similar age and slightly taller.
“Hi there, my name is Ivan. What’s yours?” the young man said, extending his hand in greetings.
The lad’s hair curled down in loose waves coming to rest just above his broad shoulders, much like Theodor’s. His hair was several shades darker than Theodor’s and his muscles more defined. There was a certain friendliness about him that Theodor instantly found comforting. His clothes were ragged and there was a thick layer of filth caked on him. If it weren’t for his tattered look and the horrid stench on him, Theodor would have mistaken the young man for someone of importance.
“Theodor,” he said with a smile, gripping Ivan’s hand firmly. “Looks like you’ve been on the road for a while,” he noted as he eyed the young man from head to toe.
Ivan lowered his gaze, surprise coming across his dirty face as if he were seeing himself for the first time, “Yes, I suppose I am.”
“Where are you from?” Ivan asked.
“I’m from...” he paused as if he needed to think about his response.
When Ivan didn’t reply and the expression on his face screamed confusion, Theodor asked, “Cat got your tongue?”
“Oh, sorry. I was just... um, Willsahl, yeah, I’m from Willsahl,” he said, nodding to add some confident reassurance to his claim.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Oh sure, yeah. Good ol’ Willsahl,” he said chuckling and running a hand through his greasy hair. “What about you?”
“Lubrecht,” Theodor replied.
“What’s it like there?” he asked before Theodor could inquire anything more about Ivan.
“Not much to say about it really,” he said honestly. “Small farming community. There are some sheep herders and cattle ranchers, but mostly crop growers in those parts.”
“So, how did you come to be here? Get tired of life on the farm?” Ivan asked.
“I did well in the obstacle courses, you know the ones they set up at the schools. They told me I could come and sign up as soon as I wanted, but it wasn’t my first choice so I didn’t come right away,” Theodor sniffled and scuffed the ground with his boot. “When my father found out about how the king’s army was recruiting again, he told me if I didn’t go, he would disown me. Seeing as I’m the last chance at restoring some honor to our family’s reputation, and I’d lose my right to inherit the farm, I obeyed my father’s commands.”
“Sheesh, that’s pretty harsh,” Ivan said with a cringe. “No pressure, right?” he joked.
Theodor sighed, “Yeah, no pressure.”
“Don’t worry, buddy,” Ivan said as he slapped him hard on the shoulder. “I’ll make sure you get through this place alright.”
“Thanks,” Theodor said, but didn’t hold much hope for the jovial lad. Covered in several weeks’ worth of filth and the only person within nose-shot that smelled worse than the latrines, Ivan wasn’t exactly someone who Theodor saw as his champion. Yet, beyond the stench and layers of grime, he felt comforted by the young man’s confidence.
Theodor waited in awkward silence, not knowing if he should continue his rather strange chat with Ivan or wait patiently, eavesdropping on the others in front of him. After an uncomfortably long wait, he reached the front of the check-in line. Upon the verification of his family crest, which he’d hastily stuffed into his front pants’ pocket, he was issued: one pair of lightly worn leather boots, two pairs of wool pants, two short-sleeved shirts, and army-grade sleeping blankets which were, in fact, much less warm than his personal bed roll. Once he’d collected his belongings, he was assigned a cot in bunkhouse thirteen. To his surprise, Ivan passed through check-in quicker than expected. It seemed odd that the filthy lad who had struggled to recall what town he hailed from could provide his proof of documentation with such speed. Running to join him, Ivan caught up before Theodor had made it more than ten yards beyond the check-in station.
“Bunkhouse thirteen?” Theodor heard Ivan’s familiar voice ask as he came to walk in stride with him.
“Yeah.”
“Looks like we’re going to be bunkmates,” Ivan said as he parted his lips into a smile and threw his arm around Theodor, sending the foul aroma of body odor in his direction.
“Great,” Theodor replied apprehensively as he turned his face away from Ivan’s armpit.
After acquainting themselves with bunkhouse thirteen, Theodor set out to familiarize himself with the rest of the camp within the wooden fortress walls. He wanted to know where important locations, like the dining hall, latrines, and bathhouse were located before he began his first day of training on the morrow.
That evening, when Theodor dished up a plate of slop for dinner, an unexpected stranger joined him. There was something familiar about how the young man was speaking to him and it took him several moments to recognize that it was Ivan, clean cut and properly dressed.
“My god, Ivan!” Theodor exclaimed, cutting Ivan off mid-sentence. Dropping the mouth full of slop back onto his plate, he said, “I’ve been sitting here this whole time trying to figure out who you were.”
Ivan chuckled jollily, “It was that bad, huh?”
“Yeah, you’re nearly a different person.”
“Pretty amazing what a shave, a bar of soap, and some hot water can do.”
“Not to mention the new duds,” Theodor awed. “Where did you get those?” He leaned over the table to feel the silk shirt Ivan was wearing, but Ivan slapped his hand away.
“I was saving them for when I arrived. I had two pair of clothes—a travel set and a camp set.”
“Well you sure camp in style,” Theodor said as he spooned up some slop.
As they got to chatting, Theodor decided he liked Ivan, but not because he’d changed his clothes and cleaned up, although that did help with being able to hold a conversation with him and not need to turn away to get a fresh breath of air. It was something else. He had a quality about him that Theodor admired. Together they made their way back to bunkhouse thirteen and bid each other good evening. Theodor relished this one last night of relaxation before training began.
The following day set the tone for what Theodor could expect from the remaining six weeks of basic military training. That day, and each one to follow, began with an arduous early morning run. Usually five or six miles, the run would be completed in forty-five minutes. After they returned from their morning jog, the trainees were given five minutes to wash up. Once clean and ready for the day to begin, they were allowed ten minutes to eat breakfast, served in the dining hall.
Exactly one hour after having left for their morning jog, the formal military training began. Classroom-style scenarios and lessons were taught in the dining hall. Experienced soldiers from the king’s army taught battle strategies, line formations, and proper use of weapons. Food was strictly forbidden during lecture time, a lesson that more than one trainee had to be reminded of on the first day.
Lunch offered a half-hour break and was promptly followed by physical training for the remainder of the day. The afternoon sessions consisted of one-on-one combat training, practicing and drilling commands during a battle scenario, and more often than not, running an obstacle course.
Shortly after sunset, the recruits were given a full hour for dinner. At their first dinner, Theodor learned that this was the time where overconfident individuals would brag of their prowess during the physical training. After their luxurious hour-long dinner, everyone returned to his or her dorms and lights-out came a short fifteen minutes after mealtime’s end.
The rules of camp were simple—if anyone were late coming back from the morning run, for mealtime, or for trainings, they were given extra exercises
. These ‘penalties’, as the training officers called them, were to be performed in front of everyone during lecture hours. If anyone slept in or stayed out of their bunkhouses past lights-out, they were whipped. After a whipping, the whipped were still expected to perform their duties along with everyone else as though the lashing had never occurred.
Needless to say, Theodor did a lot of extra exercises during the first week of training. He didn’t, however, have any problems waking up early or going to bed on time. He was already used to an early-to-bed and early-to-rise lifestyle from the farm back home in Lubrecht. His struggle came with finishing the morning run in forty-five minutes or less. Due to his tardiness, he had to skip most breakfasts and wasn’t accustomed to beginning his day with a lack of energy. By early afternoon he was too exhausted for the physical training, and became utterly useless during the drills. After only a few long days at camp, Theodor discovered what he already knew to be true—he wasn’t cut out to be a soldier; he wanted to go home.
DURING DINNER ON THE sixth day of camp, the training officers announced that the members of each dorm would become their own squad for the remaining five weeks of training. Several of Theodor’s bunkmates eyed him angrily, griping that they’d be forced to continue training with him. The groans grew even louder when they announced that each squad would be tested at the end of every two weeks. The top three squads would gain more time to eat during meals, granting them a shorter distance to run in each morning and less time in the classroom. Likewise, the three squads who scored the lowest would have to run farther each morning, decreasing their likelihood of getting a full meal in before lessons began, and likely meaning more penalty exercises to perform in front of the camp.
Theodor hung his head, averting his eyes as he sipped at the bowl of soup before him, while the other members of bunkhouse thirteen glared daggers at him. Based on his performance so far, he knew their bunkhouse would be one of the three running farther after the first round of tests. As he looked around the table, Ivan was the only person who he found smiling. Theodor thought this was odd, given everyone else’s reaction. Ivan was quickly growing to be their squad’s most promising leader. Besides his skill with blades and well-rounded knowledge of battle tactics, he was always the first person up and took it upon himself to stir awake anyone who’d missed the first round of wakeup calls.
Where Theodor fell behind in the morning runs, Ivan excelled. After completion, he would turn back and help those who struggled, like Theodor, coaching them through the remaining distance. Several times during that first week, Theodor had to stop mid-run, bending at the waist and struggling hard to catch his breath. Each time Theodor thought he was going to give up, Ivan would come trotting along. He’d encourage Theodor to keep his feet moving and stay by his side through to the end, even if it meant he would be penalized for it.
Ivan displayed other traits that set him apart from the others as a natural leader. He had a better knowledge of battle strategy than anyone else in the squad. When sparring, Ivan would beat anyone who challenged him in one-on-one combat and took charge directing others during the group’s drills. He was so advanced that even the training officers would let him instruct lessons during the first week; it was clear to bunkhouse thirteen that Ivan would be their leader.
After the bunkhouse’s reaction to having Theodor in their squad, Ivan saw him leave the dining hall alone before their mealtime had ended. Excusing himself from the other members of his new squad, he ran after Theodor.
“You’re getting faster at finishing your meals,” he said, catching Theodor before he’d made it very far.
Theodor paused mid-stride, then continued, “No. Not really, I’m just too tired to finish eating. I need to sleep if I’m going to make it through tomorrow.”
“It’ll get better; you just need more practice. Today you improved your morning run time,” Ivan said, trying to lift Theodor’s spirits. “Heck, you made it in time for the last two minutes of breakfast.”
“I really wish they gave us more time to eat in the mornings. Then maybe I’d have enough energy to run faster and train harder.”
“We’ll have to finish in the top three squads during the end of the week’s test for that to happen.”
“I suppose,” Theodor responded half-heartedly.
“If you want, I can help you with the training?” Ivan asked in a friendly tone.
Theodor halted outside the bunkhouse door. Placing his hand on the worn door knob, he pulled it open saying, “What’s the point? I’m not cut out for this.”
Ivan thrust his palm forward, closing the door forcefully with a bang. “Why don’t you want to try?” he barked, showing his anger for the first time since meeting Theodor.
Theodor stepped back, allowing Ivan to come between him and the door to the bunkhouse. “I don’t want to try, because, this isn’t the life for me. I’m never going to be good at this like you. Face it, I’m just not meant to be anything else but a farmer.”
Ivan grabbed him by the shoulders, attempting to shake some sense into him, “You’re stuck in this part of the world whether you like it or not. The officers here don’t care if you see yourself as only a farmer. They see you as a tool, just another body to send to the front lines, and that’s it. Until you start proving your self-worth to them, they’ll only ever see you as just another body. If you want to make it through this war, you’re going to have to try harder.”
Ivan pointed his index finger toward the dining hall where all the officers still ate their meals inside, “The more valuable you are to them, the better they’ll treat you. They’ll view you as someone to protect, to keep around, instead of just another on the front lines. But if that’s what you want, keep it up. If all you want to do is be led to slaughter, just keep on slacking off and falling behind. But if you don’t want to be a pawn, and want to live, I can help you.” Ivan’s head tilted forward with his jaw clenched tightly, waiting for Theodor’s response.
It didn’t come that night; Theodor said nothing to Ivan as he stepped past him and pulled open the door, walking inside. Ivan slammed the door behind Theodor and stormed angrily back to the dining hall.
The next morning Theodor awoke to the first wake-up call along with the rest of his squad. The sun had not yet risen and the weather had taken a turn for the worse. Rain dribbled steadily, covering their bodies with a wetness that chilled them to the bone as they embarked on their morning run.
Once again, Ivan led the squad and finished early. He turned around to head back and bring up the rear, assuming Theodor wasn’t able to keep up with the others. As he ran back, however, he was surprised to see Theodor’s determined scowl near the rear end of the main pack, farther ahead than the other stragglers. Ivan smiled slightly at him as he passed, but Theodor gave him a determined glance and forced his eyes to remain on the young men and women in front of him, increasing his speed as he ran past Ivan.
After a very quick cold-water bath, Ivan was pleased to find Theodor enjoying his breakfast along with the others from their squad. It was the first time he’d been able to eat breakfast for the full five minutes since he’d arrived. Ivan didn’t sit next to him, but watched as he happily devoured eggs, sausage, freshly baked bread, and a small mountain of fruit.
During the morning lectures, Ivan noticed Theodor seemed to be more engaged with the content. Through the afternoon sparring sessions, Theodor put up a decent fight. Still, he was beaten in nearly every match, but Ivan could tell he was trying much harder.
That night at the dinner table was the first time Ivan saw the other members of the squad openly invite Theodor to eat with them. After dinner was over, Ivan pulled Theodor aside and asked, “So, you decided you’re not going to be a pawn?”
Theodor nodded, “I didn’t want to admit it, but you were right. If I’m going to make it through this war, I need to apply myself.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Ivan said, smiling. “So, can I help you with your training?”
Theodor chuckled, “Yes, I need it badly.”
“Okay, we’ll start tomorrow. You can spar with me in the afternoon.”
Chapter Four
─
Tests
THROUGHOUT THE SECOND WEEK, Ivan helped Theodor study the lecture material and worked with him during the physical training. Theodor quickly found he was no longer the worst at everything. By the end of week two, he felt more confident going into the tests than he could’ve ever imagined.
Test day consisted of a series of competitions comprised of one-on-one combat, squad-on-squad battle strategy, and an obstacle race. During the morning, one-on-one combats began between members of separate squads. The rules were simple: each winner of the sparring match advanced to the next round and the loser would be eliminated from advancing. Each win gained their squad a point. The rounds continued until a victor emerged. By the end of the one-on-ones, the squad’s points were added up. The more victories a squad claimed, the more points they received.
Theodor was one of the first of his squad to be called out by a stout young man from bunkhouse eighteen. He saw Theodor as an easy target to pick off early and advance to the next round. Not entirely surprised he’d been picked so quickly, Theodor felt he might have a chance at defeating the lad since he’d been training so vigorously with Ivan.
When the match began, Theodor almost caught the stout lad completely off guard, nearly landing a fatal blow with his blunted practice sword. The lad’s reaction time was too quick and he blocked Theodor’s blow with his shield. Members of the camp looked on in awe as Theodor swung wildly at his opponent. His fellow squad mates were cheering loudly for him and the noise attracted the attention of other trainees waiting for their rounds to begin. Soon, a crowd had gathered to watch the bout. Theodor’s form and skill were lacking, but he made up for it in determination and scrappiness.
