"Did they tell you
You should grow up
When you wanted
To dream"
The next day we were doing training exercises, which consisted of being taught how to handle a gun and how to take down a target, you know the basics. Half way through my third day at the camp, lieutenant Ashbury, the man who was teaching us to handle such weapons as grenades and evading enemy eyes called me and four other men out. He told us that they needed five more men to be trained for the cavalry from our group, men who could handle not only a gun but would be taught the skills of a sword. I was alarmed at that, I had never ridden a horse nor even held a sword; apparently I was a good enough shot with the gun.
We were all transferred to the barracks under Major Stewarts command; I was terrified of the man. I'd heard from mess hall talk that he led with an iron fist. His barracks were surprisingly nicer than the last I was in; there were single beds this time with cleaner sheets. I guessed that being in the cavalry got you higher status than foot soldier. We were soon told to report to the training grounds where we would first be taught how to wield a sword before how to ride a horse.
"In this war you must kill without emotion, do not hesitate to kill or you will be killed. You shall be given whatever horses we have left over, they may not be the cream of the crop but they will do for you. I expect you all to train amazingly well, for your country, your king, and your people." Major Stewart paced up and down our small line of soldiers, there were five of us. Or more correctly put there was them, and there was me. They were all close friends now, and I was on my own. "Is that clear soldier?" Major Stewart said to the man to the left of me he replied with a "ye-yes sir Major Stewart" They were all obviously terrified of the man, I had learned that I had no reason to fear him since I did what I was told and stayed out of the way. The majors scrutinizing gaze fell on my cane, "How do you expect to ride with a leg like that? I thought that the lieutenant sent the best men to me!" He snapped at me. "Major Stewart sir, I can shoot a gun and take out the enemy just as well as the next man. My leg will not be a weakness." I said nervously, my gaze met the majors and I looked him in the eye, he returned with a glare and a scoff. "So what if you fall off your horse? You'll be unable to run and the Germans will capture you, we can't go having you spill secrets about our military soldier, you'll just be a liability"
I ground my teeth together "Major Stewart sir, please give me once chance on a horse and I'm sure I'll be able to convince you otherwise. If in the case I do fall off I shall shoot myself before the enemy takes me" I met his glare with a pleading look, he walked over to the table that was set up and took a pile of swords, and he then began distributing them to our line. I stayed completely still, not expecting to have a sword handed to me. I was proved wrong when the major handed me one, "One chance Darwin, you waste that chance and you're off to the front lines. "
I could swear I saw a twinge of a smile upon his lips, but that might have just been my happiness making me see things that in fact, were not there.
The training had went as good as it could have, I had to set my cane to the side though as I practiced with the sword. I had quite a bit of trouble staying upright; the weight of it always sent me to the ground. The other men in my line would chuckle and scoff at me whenever that would happen. I kept practicing though, I would have to get it right or else I would be sent to the front lines, which would ensure my death.
After training we were sent to the mess hall, I sat once again wherever there was a seat. This time I ended up next to a couple of younger boys, who looked by their uniforms that they would be on the front lines. I nodded to them and took a seat, I hungrily began digging into the bowl of beans that was served today, it was indeed not the best meal I had ever eaten but it was at least something. The boy next to me tapped my shoulder politely, I looked up from my bowl and opened my mouth to speak although I was cut off by the boy "Excuse me sir, but are you the man who was promoted into Major Stuarts Company? The one with the limp?" I nodded my head, "yes what of it?" I said impatiently, my beans were getting colder by the minute. "Well sir, my friend here was out fighting a while ago, you know against them Germans. He tripped while avoiding a grenade and his leg is all messed up you see, and we here were wonderin' if you could help teach 'im to fight with a bad leg. Our entire company 'as heard of ye, you're sort of famous for standin' up to the Major"
I shook my head "I'm sorry but I've got my own injuries and training to worry about at the moment, I can't spare much free time to teach your friend" His smile fell and he pointed to his friend across the table "Please sir! Even if it's during dinner, any tips or suggestions you have, we'll take!" My hard expression broke and I began eating my beans once again, the boy beside me sighed and turned back to his own meal as well. I set my spoon down with a clatter into the empty bowl and turned to his friend who was done his meal as well. "I will tell you as much as I know, but it will be done only during dinner for I have my own problems to worry about, I expect to see you both here tomorrow." I used my cane to pull myself up, and then said to the boy "first thing you do is get a large stick good enough for a cane and clean it up for your friend, he'll probably need a cane of some sort to get around"
At the front of the room sitting at one of the long tables was Major Stewart, and Captain Nicholls. Their gazes followed the soldier until he was out the door, The Major turned to his friend and frowned " I doubt the boy has It in him to ride a horse, with that leg of his he'll likely fall as soon as he gets onto the beast" He sipped his drink leisurely "but you see, those other men that were sent to me are some of the best fighters I've seen in a while, healthy smart young boys they are" The captain sipped his own drink before turning to his friend " That one though, Darwin was it? From what you've told me he seems like a fine lad, a bit optimistic for the likes of war but I'm sure he's a good fighter."
The major chuckled "He's an injured boy with optimistic ideals, I seriously doubt that that'll get him far in this war" Captain Nicholls grinned "Just wait until you put him on a horse before you kick him out would you? Give the lad a chance"
"Did they warn you
Better shape up
If you want to
succeed"
Twilight galaxy- Metric
