Chapter 35: Recruiters

I was in trouble, right? Of course I was in trouble. Why wouldn’t I be in trouble? Had they figured out what had happened between Scar and I? Or did they think I killed Ticks?

I stepped to the back of the tent to let the other sergeants and lieutenants out, then walked over to the table—only to realize that Finger, Galliard, and Aldhelm had returned to Galliard’s desk, so I followed them over hesitantly. This time, I knew better than to ask any questions. They’d tell me what was wrong.

For a few seconds, no one spoke, and I almost opened my mouth against my better judgement, but finally, Galliard said, “Lieutenant Finger and Sir Aldhelm informed me of your bravery yesterday.”

“Y—yes. I’m sorry, I was just doing my best. I didn’t mean to step on anyone’s toes.” Still, I couldn’t deny that a swell of relief surged through me. Were they going to officially make me a sergeant? “I wasn’t trying to be pushy, but I saw an opportunity, and—”

“And you took it, which is commendable,” Galliard replied. “There is no need for an apology. Though I ask that you take a little more courage and be more assertive when not in battle—like right now. There’s no need to become a stammering fool.”

I cleared my throat and almost apologized again, but instead, I just said, “Understood.”

“A few days ago, after your last stat assessment, your old sergeant mentioned that you had expressed interest in joining the SAP,” Finger told me.

My eyes widened.

“When my messengers returned,” Sir Aldhelm added, “they informed me that a few sappers were in the area—and a senior member, with the authority to recruit members. He will visit our camp later this evening to meet you.”

“He heard about me?” I asked.

“My messengers told him about you,” Aldhelm said. “Unbidden, of course, but your actions yesterday impressed them greatly as well, and they assumed they had my approval. Which they did.”

“You’re not mad at them?”

“I agree with them, and I will recommend you as a candidate when the recruiter arrives. It is the responsibility of thegns to recommend members to the SAP, of course.”

“Does that mean, if I accept the offer, I’m in?” I asked.

“It is slightly more complicated than that,” Galliard said. “And considering how little time is left in this recruiting window, it will be especially difficult for you. But it’s a chance, and it would be a shame if we didn’t let you have it.”

I didn’t understand what he meant by that, but I didn’t pester him. For now, I was elated, and I had more pressing questions. “What will happen to the squad I was in?”

“Romance will be promoted to sergeant,” Finger said. “And he’ll receive four new replacements when we get reinforcements. You will remain a man-at-arms for a little while longer, but that’s no matter. The rank displayed on your slate doesn’t affect your strength in the slightest.”

I nodded. “Speaking of which…is there any chance I could take a look at the slate?”

The three men behind the desk glanced at each other, and Galliard said, “I think he’s earned it.”

They handed me the reading slate and I took it. Not much had changed, but my Presence had increased to four, and was likely a very high four (close to ticking over into five). As well, my Vitality had increased to three. I had no new Skills, though.

After I returned the slate, they dismissed me. I was to continue with my daily tasks until the sappers arrived.

I found Elf and Romance outside Slowbend, helping carry logs, and I joined them. We were building a palisade around it and turning it into a properly defensible bastion, so that when the orcs did come back, we’d stand a better chance of repelling them.

“What kept you?” Elf asked.

I told them what the higher-ups had offered me.

“You’ll take it, I assume?” Romance asked. “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime.”

I set down the log I was carrying, letting the tip brush the ground. “I…was considering.”

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“Only considering? Come on, kid, you don’t have to be diplomatic.”

“Alright, I was more than considering.”

“Better question is, why would you stay here with us?” Elf asked.

I rose up on my tip-toes and looked around the worksite as best I could. “If things are heating up on the front, you’re going to need all the help you can get. It feels wrong to abandon you guys at a time like this.”

“And it feels wrong for us to keep you here,” Romance said. “Perhaps we all owe our lives to you, but…” He shook his head. “Call me crazy, something tells me I need to start working a little harder. We could be so much more. I think we’ve got an example from you, but you need to move up if you’re going to inspire the men properly.”

I snorted. “Maybe it’s a bad idea to go hunting in the Bane-lands, though, considering what just happened.”

“Maybe,” said Elf.