3
The Soldier's Tale
A Violet Evergarden Novel
Leidenschaftlichian Military Penal Facility
Capital City
Felix opened his eyes, slowly and painfully. There wasn't much to look forward to these days. In a few minutes the guards would open his cell. Depending on their mood this morning, Felix would either be beaten savagely or simply given a rough push to the showers. After he cleaned himself up, the guards would drag him back to the cell, and he'd be served his breakfast – probably another helping of slop that the cooks called food – and finally be left alone for several hours.
He wasn't allowed to read any books. The Warden had been strict on this account. Until Felix's trial took place, he wouldn't be afforded the rights of Leidenschaftlichian prisoners. Things like decent food, books, visits from family, even a change of clothes were things that Felix would have to live without. No, Sargent Felix Schlager was still technically a soldier of the Ledenschaftlich Army. His Sargent's commission was pinned to the cork-board that hung above his painful, steel framed bed in the cell. The Guards had put up there to mock Felix, but he ended up angering them instead when he made a point to salute the commission paper every time he came and went from the cell. The only other personal item he was allowed was a photograph of his old squad from the front.
Dietz, Lorenz, Hans, Micheal, Gustav, Karl and Drexler all stood behind the kneeling Felix in the photo. To a man, they had their guns with them, and though their faces were stained with the mud and dirt of the battlefield, to a man they all had smiles. It was a glorious day. The Squad had captured an enemy encampment in daring pre-dawn raid. Eight men had defeated eighty more, and the position they captured shortened the war dramatically. It was the last time they were all together.
Dietz and Lorenz were both killed by artillery. Hans disappeared from camp one night and never returned, and no one had ever discovered his fate. Micheal saved Gustav and Karl by flinging his body upon a grenade thrown into the squad's trench, costing the young man his own life. But the next day, Gustav and Karl were both felled by a sniper's bullet. And poor Drexler finally earned leave time to visit his young wife, only to discover her in the bed of another man. Enraged, Drexler killed both with his service pistol before the police in turn caught up to Drexler and shot him dead in the middle of the Capital City.
Felix sighed, remembering each of the men of detail. He had no family of his own. Never knowing who his father was, his mother had raised him until he turned five, and she had died of fever. Left on his own with no other family, Felix was forced to survive on the unforgiving streets of the capital, begging or stealing his way to the next meal or safe place to sleep. By the time he was twelve, he had already been to jail twice over.
Felix still didn't understand why he was in jail now, but his thoughts were interrupted by Olaf, one of the nicer guards of the facility, "Good Morning, Felix. Feeling alright today?" the old guard asked.
Olaf was a man who had seen too many winters. His long moustache was a grey as the few remaining hairs on his head, beneath his watch cap. His eyes were sagged and tired looking, having witnessed too much of the cruel depths of man to ever see optimism again. If Olaf had been a younger man, his Jailer's uniform might have been freshly pressed over his stronger body. But the uniform was faded, tired and stained with age and service. And the body was older and wider at the belly –although still strong enough in the arms that Felix wagered Olaf could handle himself in a bar fight – and worn down from those same long years.
"Fine enough, I suppose" Felix said, rubbing his forehead, "Still tired from yesterday. Did that bastard Schroeder have to hit me so hard?"
On the previous day, Felix decided he'd had enough of the constant jeers and insults from a group of younger guards led by Supervisor Schroeder. None of them were old enough to serve in the war and had the audacity to look down upon the true men who had fought for their country. Armed with little more than his fists, Felix stood up to the group and beat each man down like it was simply another training session. Felix was triumphant in the brief battle, and earned the praise of his fellow prisoners. But that evening, he was reminded that he was still only a prisoner, and Schroeder's group visited his cell with truncheons.
It wasn't any worse of a beating than he had taken in his life, but the damned headache wouldn't go away.
"I'm sorry about that. If it means anything to you, I had the Warden put Schroeder and his hooligans on latrine duty this week. At the very least, you won't have to see them for a while" Olaf said.
Felix smirked, "I'd almost pay to see that." He rose from the hard iron bed and stretched his arms, "So what's it to be today? It's Wednesday isn't it? Another round of so-called therapy from Dr. Licthen then?"
Olaf smirked in turn, "Actually, some good news for once. The Warden approved your request for a letter. The CH Postal Company should be sending someone over later this afternoon"
Felix was shocked. It didn't happen very often. He'd never realistically expected that request to get approved. Mostly, he had just wanted to annoy the Warden for once.
"Is that so?" Felix asked, trying hide his sense of shock, "So I get to see a doll before they walk me to the gallows?"
"Not just any doll. Supposedly, CH is sending their very best doll, in the Warden's words" said Olaf.
"The very best eh? I'll bet she's a real beauty then" Felix said with another smirk.
"She'll be here in a few minutes. I'll escort you to the meeting room. And if you try anything stupid, I'll make sure the beating Schroeder gave you yesterday feels like a picnic in comparison" Olaf said sternly, motioning for Felix to turn around to be shackled at the wrists.
As Felix turned away from the old guard and felt the cold metal snap in place on his wrists, he replied back in a mocking tone, "On my honour as a soldier, I'll keep my hands to myself Senior Guard Olaf. As long as you're looking at me, anyway"
Olaf opened the bars and shoved Felix forward, "Keep up that smart mouth of yours, and the only letter that doll will write for you is a note to the prison hospital!"
