The Squad's Evening Mood
The mess hall buzzed with energy that night, but not in celebration. The scouting mission had rattled some of the newer recruits. For many, that horn blast was their first taste of what real war might sound like.
Roderick sat with his usual calm, hands wrapped around his cup. "Next time, we need to set a perimeter watch even during a sweep. If we'd had two men watching the flanks, that horn wouldn't have surprised us."
Lionel, slumped over his tray, groaned. "Next time, I'm bringing earplugs. That sound's going to haunt my sleep for a week."
Garrick gave a dry laugh. "Good. Fear keeps you alive."
Alexander sat at the head of the table—a subtle shift since Horst had confirmed him as permanent squad leader. The men naturally leaned toward him now, watching for his reaction before speaking. That wasn't lost on Alexander. They're looking to me. I can't fail them.
He set down his spoon. "Roderick's right. Next mission, we set a perimeter. Lionel, you're still point, but Garrick, you'll take flank with two others. Darian—"
He paused. Darian wasn't at the table.
Where's Darian?
"Where's our noble friend?" Lionel asked, looking around with an exaggerated shrug.
Roderick smirked faintly. "Probably polishing his boots to show us how much better he is than the rest of us."
Alexander stood. "I'll handle it."
Private Confrontation
Alexander found Darian in the barracks, seated on his bunk, running a whetstone along his blade. His jaw was tight, and his eyes were fixed on the weapon like it had personally insulted him.
"Rythorn," Alexander said.
Darian didn't look up. "Here to scold me again, 'commander'?"
Alexander crossed his arms. "No. I'm here to figure out why you keep trying to make this personal."
Darian's laugh was short and bitter. "You really don't get it, do you? You stand there, a commoner, barking orders at me like you belong here."
"I do belong here," Alexander said calmly. "Same as you."
Darian finally met his eyes, his expression hard. "No, you don't. Men like you… you can fight, sure. Maybe even lead a squad. But you'll never understand what it's like to be born with everything and know you'll end up with nothing."
Alexander blinked. "Nothing?"
"My brother inherits our house, our lands, our titles. You know what I get?" Darian's grip on the whetstone tightened. "A commission in the army and the hope I don't die forgotten. That's why I trained under the best. Why I fight like hell to be better. And now I'm stuck beneath you."
Alexander studied him for a long moment. "You hate me because I'm proof you can lose even with all your advantages."
Darian's jaw clenched. "Maybe I do."
Alexander stepped closer, his voice even but firm. "I don't care where you were born. You're in my squad now. And I need you with me, not against me. Whatever your problem is with me—fix it, or it's going to get one of us killed."
Darian stared at him, then looked away. "We'll see."
Squad Bonding
When Alexander returned to the mess hall, Lionel was midway through a story about how he "single-handedly saved the scouting mission" by blocking that spear with his shield.
"Blocked?" Garrick scoffed. "You tripped over a rock and fell into the guy."
"Semantics," Lionel said, smirking. "History will call it heroism."
Roderick looked at Alexander. "So? Did our noble friend apologize?"
Alexander shook his head, sitting back down. "Not yet. But I think we understand each other better now."
Garrick grunted. "Good. Because I'm tired of watching him stare like he's trying to stab you with his eyes."
Lionel leaned forward, grinning. "So what's next, boss? More scouting missions? A real fight?"
Alexander smiled faintly. "Whatever comes next, we're ready. All of us."
Quiet Reflection
That night, Alexander lay awake on his bunk, staring at the wooden beams above. His squad was slowly coming together—even Darian, despite himself, was part of it now.
But Alexander knew one thing for certain: this is just the start. He'd taken one step up, gained men who looked to him for orders, and even made peace—sort of—with his rival.
He clenched his fist. I'm not stopping here.