Guiche: Hero of the Academy! – Part 1

By aightaight2

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Guiche de Gramont lay awake in the dormitory at the Champ de Mars training facility. Over the past few weeks sleep had been in short supply, the few hours spent in bed each night becoming increasingly precious.

On the very first day they had been told that Mage Officer Candidates did not have the luxury of sleeping in all day. In fact, so far as he could tell, Mage Officer Candidates didn't have the 'luxury' of sleeping all night, either! Or any other luxuries, for that matter.

Every morning the bugle sounded hours before dawn, signaling that their day had begun even though daylight had not. Drills, lessons, training, cleaning; followed by more drills, more lessons, even more training, and even more cleaning! And all without their wands!

He'd heard rumors that some of the Instructors had started a betting pool, picking out the noble scions that they thought wouldn't last the distance. Supposedly, his name had been high on that list.

'Hah! What did they know about the steadfastness, the loyalty, the determination of a Gramont? Let them lose their money betting against me!' he thought, with a modicum of bravado.

In truth, though. . . Guiche had come close to quitting a number of times.

On each occasion, though, Midori had been there.

Calling cadence during the morning exercises, or testing them on questions that might come up in the next pop quiz. Even watching from a distance as they scrubbed the wooden floor of the barracks for the umpteenth time.

Looking at him with respect, as if she knew he wouldn't quit.

And so he didn't.

The determination of a Gramont sounded good in theory; in practice, however, he simply couldn't bear the thought of Midori's look of respect changing back to a look of disappointment. That simple motivation, along with the memory of his sweet Monmon, held close in his mind's eye, had sufficed to keep him going.

He'd made it through the first phase of training.

Tomorrow, however, things were going to change. The surviving Candidates would move on to the next phase of training – the 'practical' phase. Putting the skills they'd learned to use in 'field missions' set up to test them and help them gain 'real world' experience.

For some reason, though, he just couldn't nod off. Why tonight, of all nights? Malicorne's snoring was as bad as usual, but that had never stopped him from sleeping the sleep of exhaustion before. Perhaps it was the other rumor that had come to his attention during dinner? He didn't think it had disturbed him that much…

Somehow, word of his supposed 'heroism' had leaked into the Camp. Guiche de Gramont isn't like the other candidates here – thus went the rumor. He's the one who partnered Dame Midori in Albion. He's the one who spied out Reconquista's forces at York. He saved Prince Wales – warned him before that traitor Wardes could strike. Then he raised the alarm when Zombies tried to take over the dock at Newcastle. They say he didn't even flinch when he stood face to face with one of those necromantic abominations. And what about the Gala – my cousin told me he chased down the imposter Fae Lord in person. His brother – a Captain you know! – lost his leg, but Guiche had barely a scratch on him when he brought back the Traitor's head!

Unfortunately, the Training Cadre had heard the rumors too. One of them had come up to him in the mess hall, telling him that they had high expectations for him during tomorrow's field exercise.

He shuddered. To the Cadre, high expectations meant that they'd be adding an extra-special twist to the exercise, just for him. He'd seen it happen before. Take the high achiever, and prove to him that no matter how good you thought you were, there was always someone out there who was better.

Philippe de Montault had suffered that fate during the first two days of training. He'd beaten all the other Candidates as well as their rival Musketeer Recruits in the initial sword duels, arrogantly flourishing his practice sword after each victory. That very night, he'd been told that there would be high expectations on him for tomorrow's sword drills. The very next day, Miss Midori had joined them for the first time, soundly thrashing the pride out of the Viscount's son.

Still, nothing would be gained by dwelling on the matter. The rumors were just that – rumors. He already knew the truth about himself. He wasn't brave, nor valiant. He might look the part of a dashing hero, but he knew that he was no hero. No matter what the Cadre threw at him, he'd do his best to learn from it. No matter how badly his group lost the exercise, he'd keep going – he'd face the Camp the next day, and the next, until he could prove to himself that Miss Midori's faith in him was not misplaced.

With that final thought circling in his mind, Guiche finally drifted off to sleep.

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Within the main tent of the Camp Headquarters, the Duchess de la Valliere and General Belgen de Gramont stood side-by-side at the head of the Planning Table. The General kept a relaxed eye on the other key members of their group - Dame Midori, acting as Henrietta's personal Agent, Dame Caramella of the Knights of the Order of Blood, and the Salamander Lieutenant Carmond, recently seconded to the Camp to help out with the Musketeer Recruits.

Across from them, Karin kept a much sharper gaze on the other group of newcomers. A quartet of Salamanders, all wearing the heavy crimson coats of the Salamander Lance Corps. Their role was to act as the Opposing Force in the upcoming Scouting Mission simulation.

"Ho! I can't wait to see their faces when the hammer drops," said Uxper, smiling slightly in private amusement. "They'll be expecting a stoush with their rivals, the Musketeer Recruits. They'll never guess that we've been substituted instead."

His offsider, Fastu-osa, picked up the thread with grim amusement. "Well, that's what Scoutin's 'bout, innit? If you already know what's out there, there's no need ta check! That's why they'll get us 'nstead. Makes the mission more real, see?"

"Don't count your victories too early, men," interposed the General. "And don't forget whose Trainee Squad you'll be going up against, either – my son Guiche won't beaten easily," he said with a proud smile.

With a frown, Karin added her own thoughts. "We've all heard about your son's talents, Belgen. Given your confidence in him?" she paused, watching as the General and 'Dame Midori' nodded their support, "I'm sure we can set up a little something extra, to really test him out."

Looking up from the planning board, Carmond grinned lightly before making a suggestion. "Well, there is that tactic that Lord Mortimer wanted us to test under live conditions. Perhaps we could kill two birds with one stone? Responding to a real surprise will probably be more valuable to the Trainees than fighting against an opposing force that's using standard tactics, won't it? Got to keep them on their toes, you know."

His grin broadened. "If the Lancers start here," he said, waving his hand above the map, "and aim to strike here," he tapped the board, "I'm sure we'll soon find out whether the tactic works as well in practice as it does in theory."

Chuckling, the other Salamanders nodded in agreement.

"Agreed."

"Of course."

"Looking forward to it."

"Can't wait."

The nods of assent came quickly from the rest of the Trainers.

"Fine. Let's try it out, and see what happens," came the final word from Dame Caramella.

Tomorrow, they'd see what Guiche de Gramont was truly made of.