Chapter 3

Squad Leaders

I had ordered to relocate the camp near the beach. I was a bit disturbed when Ker—the twin’s father—told me that the sea goblins have become more erratic. For one, he told me that the sea goblins doesn’t adhere anymore to their schedule of attacking the villagers after a night of full moon.

Now they come and go as they pleased. This is a bit alarming, after all, that schedule of attacks gave the villagers a huge advantage to prepare. I even gave them full map of moon’s calendar on when the next moon’s changing phases will occur in a whole year. And that, too, had just become useless.

They have ask for help again to Duke Kramnik—the one who owns and rule the coastal lands. I know that would be pointless, and so did the villagers. But they needed the help more than ever. At least, back then, knowing the schedule of when the goblins will attack, they could go to the sea and harvest fish without worry.

Now, they have to frequently look over their shoulders in fear of a random attack. When I was thirteen, I asked my father to send help in Sitio Village, but he told me the land belongs to some duke and he couldn’t just send soldiers there without permission from the duke, even if he was the bloody king.

The king said to me, that the only best course of action he could do was to ask the duke if could spare soldiers to help Sitio Village. But since most of the land of Duke Kramnik are near the ocean, almost all of it suffered from the sea goblins, my father and the duke knew he has little soldiers left to spare.

However, instead of asking for the king for some help, the Duke Kramnik told the king that he will send help. And also reminded my father, that he should leave the managing of his estate on his own. So much for nobility. That is one of the many others that made me realize how powerful and how powerless the king is.

Even after Duke Kramnik had said that he would send help, Sitio villages hadn’t received any. It was a small village, with lesser profits, compared to other villages in Duke Kramnik’s estate. Sitio Villages, aside from their delicious dried fish, doesn’t produce pearls, nor, highly priced Puffin fish oil. At a businessman’s point of view, it is not worth protecting.

The next morning, after a night of feast. I ordered my men again for another morning exercise. We mostly run along the coast with the sands heavily pulling our legs. An hour of running was enough to send some of my men puking. After another hour and a half, their guts were emptied out.

Milo—the twin’s older brother—joined us in the morning run, outrunning everyone but me. He didn’t falter and was on my side all the time. Proving to my men that he was better than them, just like he assured me last night. Cadet Pole have fallen behind at the last stretch, and a skinny cadet overtook him. While Lt. Brax was still the sweeper, and I think he’s starting to hate his role, matching pace with the slowest runner, and violently urging them to continue running.

We have started out in four in the morning and we finished at seven. After that, we had some breakfast. The villagers prepared the food for us. Quite thankful to us, that they could have some proper rest now. Since the erratic change in the sea goblin’s attitude, the villagers have become on high alert, barely having enough sleep.

After that, we swam the sea. I asked some of the villagers to teach some of my men who didn’t know how to swim. It was quite brutal, really, when the villagers started giving names to some of my men who couldn’t quite get it. Names such as ‘Muscled Sea Brain’, ‘Whale oaf’, ‘fish monkey’ and the likes.

While the rest of my men, the ones who quickly learned how to swim, laughed alongside the villagers in humiliating those who couldn’t. But they stopped when they realized one of those being embarrassed is Lt. Brax.

It was a struggle for Lt. Brax to just float. I could see that his body couldn’t let go of the idea of aligning itself perpendicular to the ground. I had that same issue when I was thirteen. I told him to imagine his center of gravity was on his chest, and it worked like a charm.

Cadet Pole was an able swimmer, and cadet Tobi didn’t escaped some of the name-calling of the villagers, he struggled a bit, but soon get the hang of it. Milo was exceptional, far better than me. Well, he was the one who taught me swimming, after all. He could outswim me easily, but he always grumbled how I can always stay underwater longer than him.

When it was time to have a lunch, the villagers joined us. Laughter among the villagers broke out when someone had told stories about some of my soldiers could barely float. I think I saw Lt. Brax quickly flushed in embarrassment.

During the middle of the day, the twins called me out saying some people with a ‘big, darn horse’ had arrived looking for me.

The twins were pulling my hands on each side, urging me to follow them. I smiled, when I saw someone with a familiar mustache waving at me. It was my most trusted butler, Digby. He had arrived earlier than I expected, carrying four weeks’ worth of supplies such as food, and weapons.

“Young master!” Digby bowed to me.

“You’re a bit early, Digby. Did my father question you?”

“No, young master. But, I am afraid both the prince had questions about the weapons.”

“Nosy, as always.”

“Young master, have you been eating well? You’ve grown thin. Don’t tell me, you’re only eating dried fish again.” He sound like a concerned mother ready to snap at me. I knew this conversation would extend longer than I wanted if I say yes. So…

“Yes, he is.” The twins both said, then again smiled at each other for another in-sync feat.

“Young master!” Digby exclaimed. “Alright, I have decided. I’ll stay here and cook for you.”

Uh oh. The last thing I need was for my men to see me being pampered by my butler. And I knew Digby, he was quite adamant when it regards to my health. Once, he stood guard the entire night to catch me if I was sneaking out in the palace.

“Digby, you have more important job in the castle. You’re my eyes and ears there.” I said.

He seems to consider, but my health and welfare, for him, takes priority over anything, even his own. “But, young master…”

“Ok, I promised to eat more. Is that okay with you?”

He relaxed. He knew since I was a kid that I don’t go back on my words. A trait my grandfather instilled in me.

My grandfather used to say when I was young:

You know, Cal, a man is as good as his words.

You mean, grandpapi, as good as his swords?

Ha ha, no, Cal. His words. Words cut deeper than swords.

I really missed my grandpapi, he was the best swordsman in the kingdom, some say in the entire continent. He taught me until I was eight, before he succumbed to old age.

“Alright, young master.” Digby said. “Where should we put this then?” he gestured to the three carriages parked along the road. “Should I bring the rest, say two weeks?”

I nodded.

I looked around, some of the villagers had heard Digby’s arrival and started to gather around us. I saw Ben—the village chief—and asked him if we could store the supplies in some of the abandoned house. He said yes and gestured me to follow him.

My men started to place the supplies in old Marren’s house. I told Ben, much to his surprise, that the supplies were actually for them. I told him to ration it accordingly, along with some of the weapons.

Ben’s tear erupted, and started to hug me. “Thank you, young man.”

|| || ||

Everything the prince does seems to surprise the assassin. Their arrival in Sitio Village blows her mind. For one, the villagers called out to the prince in his first name. Not even one honorifics that deserved his status. No ‘your majesty’, ‘your highness’, or even ‘sir’.

This kind of brazenness is enough for the nobles to send someone in prison or even hanged. However, the prince looked like he didn’t notice or didn’t mind at all. The villagers flocked around him as if he was, all along, an important family member.

They even propose a celebration to his arrival. Which seems to the villagers was more important than successfully fending off the sea goblins. That and the unusual happiness in the villagers since the prince had arrived had made her realized that the prince was loved.

Neither by the rich nor the nobles but by the common people. She knows now her commander, the prince is quite different than her brothers. She knew his brothers, the other princes, are well favored by the nobility, while prince Calex wasn’t even recognized.

As far as the nobility is concerned, King Cadrir have two deserving, intelligent and well-abled princes and one other son who is quite useless and nonexistent, and one extremely beautiful daughter. The nobility accounts was, as usual, biased and uninformed.

And throughout the celebratory night, through the different tales of the villagers, she knew the prince was really different.

In the next day, she managed to stay a little bit ahead of Cadet Pole all throughout the run, however, the kid who declared he was better than the prince’s command managed to stay ahead of her. And she hated him for that. She knew the sand would be a serious hindrance in their running, she even expected the prince would slow down a little, but he didn’t.

However, everything that happened was nothing to what was about to happen next. Her heart almost exploded when the prince said they will all go for a swim. Soon, the prince removed his upper clothing, revealing scars that was not supposed to appear in a sixteen year old body. Everyone was stunned, even the assassin who was grown accustomed to seeing scarred men.

Everyone followed suit. She expected this would happen when she saw the map the prince gave to Lt. Brax. She expected that, eventually, they’ll have to go for a swim. That she, too, will get naked in front of thirty men.

There were no gender discrimination in their order. Jobs were assigned according to one’s skills, and gender has got nothing to do with it. She still couldn’t understand though why she was chosen for the job, she was one of the best assassin in their order, and the third prince, she previously thought, was a small fry, barely existing.

Now she know why the order sent her. The prince was clearly no ordinary man. Her order gave her potions to disguise her womanly features. Though, the potion only lasts a week, it was still very potent. The potion doesn’t physically alter one’s figure, it will only mask the body in accordance to the user’s preference. It was more magic than alchemy.

Her preference was a lean body. Not too skinny, but not too muscular either. After she drank the potion, everyone will see her according to her preference. It was quite a nifty tool, a must-have tool in every assassin.

As long as no one carefully groped her body, they won’t discover that she was, in fact, a woman.

|| || ||

Musk hated being here under the prince’s command, running under the blistering sun with his heavy backpack. He was a Materials Apprentice Crafter and an Inventor’s apprentice, he knew he should be helping in the design of the new water mills. Instead, he was deep in sweat running towards some unknown coastal village, while the prince was showing off his ability to run very fast and very far.

He knew nothing of the prince, except that he rarely leaves the comfort of their castle. Some say, in the academic circle, the prince was intellectually challenged—a retard. Because of that, the King rarely show off his third son in balls or any event.

But now that he had the chance to meet the third prince, the rumors were all ungrounded. He had this strange feeling that the prince was far more intelligent than he let on. More experienced, more mature despite his age.

Musk fought the urge to throw up. He was exhausted, and have been throwing up since they left Calis. I should have been in my workshop, he thought, working.

“Have some water.” Spiel said.

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“Shit, Spiel. I’m dying.” Musk said.

If there is someone other than Musk to blame for being here, it was Spiel——the infamous thief ‘Night Crow’, his orphan brother and his best friend.

“Look on the bright sight, at least you get to travel.”

“I always find your optimism quite ironic to your secret profession.” Musk said.

“It’s a necessary requirement.” Spiel said.

Spiel was the same as age as Musk. Twelve years in the orphanage, three years more on the streets before they go their separate ways. Musk had always wanted to build things, while Spiel had always wanted to steal things.

Musk applied as an apprentice to some old Master Craftsman while Spiel honed his own special set of skills. But never had they lost contact with each other. Spiel always visited Musk telling him stories about his nightly conquest in different noble house.

Weeks before Musk and Spiel got arrested. News of a blueprint of a Kurgs’ weapon being stolen and intercepted by Calis’ spies spread in the black-market. Rumors on the underground world that it was a special bow that can fire multiple arrows consecutively in a single notch.

Musk, being a tinkerer as he is, expressed great interests on seeing the blueprint for himself. Spiel told his friend, Musk, that he planned to steal a book from the very same noble, who was keeping the blueprint. Spiel teasingly said if Musk came with him, he might see the blueprint.

“That’s military grade property, now. We can’t just steal it.” Musk said.

“Who says I’m stealing it, I’m only stealing the owners diary.” Spiel said.

“So, we will just have a look at it?”

“We?”

“I thought you were inviting me.”

“I’m just kidding. You'll only get us caught”

“Oh, come on. I know how to sneak, remember when we were young?”

Spiel laughed.

Musk frowned. He knows he wasn’t very good at it. Spiel was small, lean and graceful on his movements, while Musk was on a heavier side.

However, the idea of seeing the blueprint was already planted inside Musk’s mind. He wanted to see it, study it, but he knew Spiel would not allow him to join in his escapade. Spiel was a professional, and so was Musk, though in different aspects. Musk begged for a week offering various stuffs, and soon Spiel caved in.

 “What do you think of our commander?” Spiel asked.

“I hate him.” Musk said.

“Because he made you run for a very long time?”

“Yes.”

“I think he is different.” Spiel said.

“He’s arrogant and brutal. Both quality I despise.” Musk said.

Spiel nodded.

Musk looked at his best friend. If the Royal Forces found out that Spiel was the Night Crow, and that he was associated with him, it was death sentence for both of them. Luckily, the police have a strong belief that Night Crow, with his cunning, was an old man on his thirties. Branding Spiel as the Night crow  is the same as the authority admitting being bested by a kid for years.

“Did you see how fast he is on his cane sword?” Spiel said. “That kind of proficiency takes years to form.”

“I don’t know anything about sword fight.” Musk said.

“That’s why we’re here, remember?” Spiel said.

“Why are you still here?” Musk asked.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, why haven’t you escaped yet? With your contacts you could disappear if you wanted to.”

Spiel thought for a while. “I don’t know, I think I’m going to stick for a while. This prince intrigued me. Besides, he promised us great adventure up ahead, didn’t he?”

“I don’t remember him giving such promise” Musk said. “He promised us, we will be facing innumerable dangers.”

“Same thing.” Spiel said.

Musk sighed. “I really hate your optimism.”

Spiel laughed.

When they have arrived in Sitio Village, Musk and Spiel was surprised when the villagers were very close to their commander. So close, that they just addressed him on his first name. They even throw a celebration in his name.

Musk liked the lively atmosphere of the feast. They both tasted every sea dishes the villagers prepared, from dried fish to fried fish gills. The villagers were quite friendly and open. Spiel asked questions to the villagers about the Prince.

It turned out the prince has been helping the villagers to fend off the sea goblin’s advancement, since he was a kid. The slight drunk village chief told Musk and Spiel that the prince had taught them how to fight, how to properly use the spear, and how to properly record the moon’s phases.

The prince, according to Ben, would even sneak royal standard weapons and would gave it to the villagers for free. The village chief even told them, quite proudly, that since the prince arrived in their small village, they had suffered no casualty ever since.

“You couldn’t believe it,” Ben said to them. “A very young man was trying to give us orders. We all looked at him, puzzled, on what he was doing in our village, you know, we thought he was lost, we would laugh at him if we haven’t lost four of our kind on that day. I remember, he fought like a madman on that day too, while we were busy running for our lives.”

Ben continued. “He demanded that we should fight, and that we should not cower. Everyone was like, ‘what the fuck is this kid talking about, we fishermen, fight?’ He knew we wouldn’t listen so he revealed to us that he is a prince, our prince, and promised that he will teach us how to fight.”

Ben burped for quite a long time. “All of us had our doubts if he was a prince, for all we know he is just an opportunist, but we witnessed him fight that day, and I tell you young man, your commander, was the real deal. The sea goblins couldn’t touch him, while his cane sword always found its target. We might not believe he was a prince, but we believed in his ability to fight. Ker stepped up, he had just lost one of his own son on that terrible day, really terrible, and he asked the kid to teach him how to fight.”

“Since then,” Ben said. “We managed to handle …”

A young man, across the camp fire, dash towards the prince. Ben stopped to look and came closer. Musk and Spiel still awed by the narration of the old man followed as well.

The young man kneeled on his right knee facing the prince. “Sir. I want to join you. I have Ma and Da’s permission on this.”

Lt. Brax, who stood beside the prince said. “Join us where, kid?”

The young man looked at Lt. Brax without any shred of fear. Musk believed that was a great feat.

“Prince Calex’s command, sir.” The young man said.

“How old are you kid?” Lt. Brax said.

“Old enough to go toe to toe with you, old sir.”

Lt. Brax instinctively placed his hand to his sword.

The prince cut him off. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, sir.”

The prince eyed Mrs. Vinny and Ker. Both of them just shrugged.

Vinny said. “Well, Milo have always wanted to be a soldier, we figured he’ll be a lot safer with you, rather than to be under some incompetent officer.”

“Besides, sir.” The young man said. “I know I am better than most of your men. You know it, sir. You personally trained me.”

It was a proud statement that garnered hostile look from the prince’s command. Musk looked at Spiel’s reaction and saw he was smiling, clearly enjoying what was happening.

“Ok.” The prince said. “At dawn, on the beach, don’t be late.”

“Yes, sir.” The young man stood up with so much energy, his face couldn’t hide his excitement.

Lt. Brax, however, clearly expressing his disapproval. He frowned at the young man, while the young man didn’t back down and stared Lt. Brax.

Everyone cheered when the prince accepted the young man’s request to join his command. Soon, everyone sing and Cadet Tobi gave us another wonderful performance.

|| || ||

I asked Lt. Brax to appoint six squad leaders among my men, and let the squad leaders formed their own squad with five members each.

There are thirty recruits in my command. Including Lt. Brax, Milo and me, there would thirty three in total. I told Lt. Brax that we will divide the six squads equally. Two for me, two for him and two for Milo. Lt. Brax frowned, he still hadn’t approve of Milo.

In the afternoon, six squads were formed. They had arranged themselves in six files/columns with five soldiers each. Each squad leaders stood in front. Cadet Pole was one of the squad leader, but the other five were unknown to me. I swear, I am not being irresponsible to not knowing their names.

I just wanted for them to do something deserving for me to know their names. But now, there is a need to know, at least, the squad leader’s name. So I ask them to introduce themselves.

Cadet Pole went first, he was the first squad leader. The leader of the second squad was rather skinny, with average height. He introduced himself as Rain, funny thing is, his voice was cold as the rain. I could sense something was off with him, but I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it is. He has the eyes of a killer, that at least I can guarantee.

Third squad leader’s name was Bifor, a rather muscular young man with an unusual beard. I can see that he was very proud to be assigned as squad leader. Good attitude. The next was a lean, a bit skinny, and also with average height. His name was Spiel. He has one of those faces that always smile. When you see his smiling face you feel like nothing could go wrong in this world.

Fifth squad’s leader name was Remus. He’s probably the third tallest men in my command. He has this huge scar on his left cheek. His hardened eyes speaks volume of rough experiences. I can see he’s the type to follow orders without question. A soldier through and through.

The last squad’s leader was Fenrir. He is very timid, I don’t why Lt. Brax chose him. He must have a talent that I don’t know. He even stuttered when introducing his name to us. He even flinched when Remus glared at him.

And that was all my squad leaders and their squad. I told them that Cadet Pole’s first quad and Cadet Rain’s second squad belong to me, while Bifor and Spiel’s squad will belong to Lt. Brax and the last squads, Remus and Fenrir’s squad will personally head by Milo.

Everyone stared at Milo. Milo was older than me by few months. Basically, we are of the same age. But he looks younger than me and hadn’t proven himself yet. But I can attest to his abilities, after all, I taught him everything he knows.

“Each members of each squad must look after each other, and each squad must look after each squad. Protect each other at all costs.” I said.

“Also … ” I withdrew my cane sword on instinct. Someone or something had just entered my circle of awareness and I could feel it wasn’t human. I looked instantly at the beach, and I could barely see the sea goblins crawling upwards.

Both Lt. Brax and Milo reacted fast when they saw my reaction. They unsheathed their swords and looked at me. Meanwhile, the rest of men are confused.

“Prepare for battle!” I shouted “First squad and Second squad on me, draw your weapons.” I said.

| | |  End of Chapter 3 | | |

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