7. Hidden In The Depths

Voices echoed all around them. Nathanial continued following Richard as he parted the crowds of soldiers with his sheer presence. From the side, he could see several foot soldiers being trained by knights. Some were being praised, but most were getting ripped apart by stern yet reasonable criticisms.

“Damn, wouldn’t want to be those guys,” Fredrick whispered.

Nathanial glanced over at his friend with both of his hands behind his head. “Believe it or not, they’re actually quite lucky.”

“Lucky?” Fredrick scoffed. “I don’t think getting bashed is what I would call lucky.”

“That’s a matter of opinion. Would you really care about the short-term bashing if it means you live longer?”

Fredrick held his tongue before shrugging. “Guess not.”

“Just remember, we have to do what it takes to survive, Fredrick. This is for us to prove that we can still make it out of this hell alive.”

“Heh, two eighteen-year-olds on the front lines where footmen drop like flies. That would be pretty hard if you ask me.”

“Well, that’s why we gotta work harder.”

Richard looked over his shoulder at the two and grinned. “I like that attitude. That’s how we’ll live a day longer in these troubling times.” He gestured for the two to stop as they drew closer to another group. “But not everyone thinks like that. From here on, just keep your head down and don’t let what they say bother you.”

What?

Nathanial tilted his head, but soon understood what he meant. He could hear the sound of someone shouting from afar, stomping his metal boots while drawing closer to them. Even though he couldn’t see who was coming closer to them, Nathanial knew Richard was purposely standing between them.

“Get out of the damn way, Richard!”

The voice sounded high-pitched, yet neither Fredrick nor Nathanial could tell who it was. Just that Richard was pushed back a step, but remained steadfast while holding his ground.

“Be reasonable, they just found out they were part of the scouting party,” he said.

“And yet somehow, they are late by nearly an hour, and they’re the last ones here.”

“Scout Leader Chris, I don’t believe that’s a fair assessment, given how the news failed to reach them.”

Chris, the young man with curly brown hair and eyes, glared at the two. And Nathanial couldn’t help but stand there in confusion at what was being said. No one had told them that they needed to join the patrol until this morning.

“Did the news fail to reach them? Or did they run away so they wouldn’t have to join the party like cowards?”

Nathanial did his best not to roll his eyes. He had negotiated many deals for his family in the political scene, and piss-poor taunts like that weren’t nearly enough to affect him. They had fought and held the lines at the center, and anyone with a single brain cell knew that since the company commander applauded the group’s efforts after the battle.

“Run away like cowards?” Fredrick stepped up. “We fought on the front lines in the last skirmish, and I don’t recall seeing your sorry ass there.”

Ah… that idiot…

Nathanial’s stone-cold face and blank expression remained unchanged while Richard did his best to hold back his laughter.

Chris pushed Richard aside and walked toward Fredrick, staring him directly in the eyes. “The fuck did you just say?”

“I’ll say it again—”

“No, you won’t.”

Nathanial quickly grabbed Fredrick’s mouth and pulled him back. He stared at the tan-skinned patrol leader and met his gaze.

“We truly didn’t receive news about the additions to the scouting party—but if we’re already running an hour behind, then it’s best for us to get going, wouldn’t you agree?”

Chris narrowed his eyes before glancing over at the other soldiers and the captains at the command tent. He clicked his tongue. Nathanial was right. They couldn’t delay their mission any longer, and the other patrol leaders had already left. If he wanted to rack up those achievements, then dealing with this scoundrel would be the least of his worries.

“Keep your friend on a tight fucking leash.” He glared at Nathanial. “Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, sir,” Nathanial said.

The three of them watched the leader of their patrol return to the other men, issuing orders as they assembled into position. With Fredrick, Richard, and Nathanial joining their ranks, they all began heading toward the main wooden gates that protected the camp.

Nathanial stared at the large wooden walls that were created in haste. Not a single flaw existed in their defenses, and with the men guarding the camp staring directly at them, a set of horns blew.

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“Open the gates! We’ve got another patrol heading out!”

The voices of the men on the wooden platforms filled the area. A loud wooden groaning sound entered his ears, and soon the large wooden gates, braced with sturdy iron bars, opened outwards. Sunlight poured in through the gaps, and Nathanial raised one hand to block it.

As his eyes adjusted to the blinding light, a vast foliage of lush green trees entered his view. Each one lined the pathway leading out from the encampment, and despite their forward position, supplies came with ease.

“Do you know why we’re heading out on this patrol?” Nathanial asked.

Richard looked over as they left their base. “Besides just checking the surroundings—I ain’t got the slightest idea.”

Nathanial nodded while falling deep into thought, catching Fredrick’s attention.

“Is there something wrong, Nathanial?”

“Well… I might be overthinking, but it’s odd, don’t you think?” He said, walking at the end of the patrol group with his platoon members. “You said our other patrol groups have been wiped out, right?”

“Hm…” Richard rubbed his chin. “Mhm, I did say that.”