“That is your sole purpose, to clean” wave his hands in an open gesture to the area around him.

“So whatever you think or say means nothing, for I am the chosen one on this side of the brook. Until you move up to first like I, you will forever know nothing of greatness like I. So please do as I say and get back to work.”

                Turning on his heel walked off cape trailing behind. The young soldiers stood and wondered why such a thing happened. Following rules was their life line. Doing as instructed was their motto and yet they were staring at the back of a first who told them their jobs, their purpose meant nothing but cleaning. It struck to the core. It hit harder when the first went to their first to relay a message that made the situation seem that they were the rude ones. When all they did was follow rules.

Blood, sweat, tears, long continuous battles fought for days and nights. The highs and lows of it all meant nothing. It only meant to clean. It only meant to wake and take care of anything dropped from above. The battlefield was covered in death and decay, yet the young men had cleaned up most before he came, dropping off more. Their tired eyes couldn’t understand, they thought and thought. It was in that moment they realized that those above will sneer at them below. Even if they are in reach, no man will be equal to another so long as they believe their rank meant their might. Their moral character was nothing in comparison when you can have a title to back it up.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

                Being a proper person was nothing to this man. To him all below his number was inferior and needed to mind their place. Even when a junior number could accidently bump into him, he would discipline them on the spot loudly, to prove the point. This was the high standard that was expected of all.

                The young men stood in awe, wondering when will their number rise. When will they be allowed to walk as if the very ocean parts for them? Wondering when the right thing didn’t matter as long as your number was high enough. Wondering when they can stop being a number but, instead a symbol of strength and freedom?

“When” was what they all thought as they watch the one to walking away, without a care in his world, for all is right when you’re first.

                                                         Those above will always sneer at those below.