Kora stood at attention, the Captain’s broad back facing her. The old man only seemed to increase in size, Kora noted.

“Lieutenant, why were you not present yesterday?” The Captain asked, more out of respect for formalities than for necessities. He remained to gaze out his window-- for what, Kora did not know. There was nothing but an empty field and vast forests in the distance. For the dramatic effect, she assumed. The Captain was always a sucker for melodrama.

“I had personal duties to attend for, sir” That will pop several nerves, but it was leagues better than informing him of her distaste for early mornings. What’s more, it was winter! The Captain’s thick skin did not allow him to feel winter’s bitter bite, but everyone else in that thin uniform would. The army was cheap to its bones, handing out black pants and one dark short-sleeved shirt. It was cotton, but infamously itchy when sweat seeped into it.

The Captain grunted, turning to face her. He was growing a rough beard, probably out of laziness than fashion. He stared at her with blunt irritation. He was not, Kora assumed, all too glad to receive a Lieutenant who did not act upon his orders. “Were you aware of the harassment that several female soldiers, as well as few male soldiers, were receiving by the new crop?” The Captain was not in a good mood. Kora took it as an indication of just how well today's mock battle proceded. 

Kora did. “Yes sir, I was aware of it.” The Captain’s gaunt face was typically stagnant in irritation as if the very process of breathing was bothersome. That usually means she could not read his face, but this time she could. A nerve atop his right eyebrow pulsed. The Captain probably did not appreciate her sense of humor that was carried in that ‘was.’

Surprisingly, he let it go, much like the young lad's hand. She giggled inside at that. “And Lieutenant, I’m sure you are aware that such abuse has been outlawed two years ago?”

She did. “Yes sir, I am aware of that too.”

His voice increased, ever so slightly “Then Lieutenant, as a soldier, you are aware that reporting illegal activities is part of your duties, correct?” His eyebrow went up now, most likely on purpose.

Oh, get on with it, old man. I have a concert in two hours. “Yes sir, I am also aware of that.”

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The Captain smiled at that. It was never good when the Captain smiled.

One word too many Kora, one word too many. It wasn’t time for her to bare her fangs. Such emotional outburst was most unusual. God did she want to play the piano right now. How unfortunate for Rubie's Cafe to be an hour away.

“Then enlighten me, Lieutenant, on why I should not have you whipped first thing this morning for disobeying army orders.” He had her at that. She was under no pressure beyond her personal advantage to heed the Captain’s orders outside of combat, but she had every law against her in disobeying army wide protocol.

Other than me being five times more capable than your next fodder? Let me see. “Well sir, I would have been breaking protocol if my commanding officer...” If you even qualify as one “...was not already aware of the harassment, sir”

The Captains eyebrows, both of them this time, went up. “Lieutenant, no other student informed me-” Kora boldly cut him off this time. What gamble this is, Kora.

“I wasn’t referring to the students, sir” Kora said,  almost letting a smirk escape her lips. She saw it on his face, too, the realization dawning on the Captain’s right eyebrow. Two nerve pulses this time, instead of the usual one.

“I see,” his voice sinking into resignation, pausing slightly. “You are dismissed, Lieutenant.” His face showed no other signs, no fire or breath in them.

She almost felt bad for the old man. The rust was showing, slowly, but surely. With a hud! Kora spun her on her heels and turned away. Before she closed the door, she looked into the plain room, at the tall brute vacantly staring at her. “The field misses you, sir” Kora parted her message with more scorn than intended. He used to be The Third Regiment's legend, the dragon roaming the field in a fit of roars and howls, spilling as much blood with his shield as with his long sword, a combination only applicable to men of enormous strength and control.

He was the very reason she joined this haggard regiment. 10 years ago, when she was 15, and the Profectus and Nrial were quarreling, Kora had witnessed his sword rip through her father’s mail armor with utter easy. That person was not human. She was filled not with rage that time, but with awe at such a magnificent show of force and technique. The usage of his shield was innovative, tactically using it to push his way into the guards of his opponents, running them down with either pure force or misdirection. He had agility far behind the limitations of his giant body. His platoon followed in his wake, covering his sides with spears as he broke the enemies formation. If she had been fighting alongside's her father, her head would no doubt have been next.  The horns signaling retreat saved her life. Her heart knew fear then, the sweating and beating of her heart vivid in her memory. 

Such a shame this legend would spend the rest of his days rotting off in this dark corner of the world.