Turned

Chapter 6: Commander's Tent

      I pack in about 30 seconds and we take off north, running for the Mainland. Destiny says running imporves fighting skills, and those are insanely needed.

     We climb up a hill, me panting, and her breathing as though she does this everyday. Which I remind myself, she probably does.

     As I look from the hilltop, I expect to have a magnificent sight meet my eyes. Thousands of men, on horseback, with sharpened, lethal swords and spears. A phalanax formation. Something inspiring, something worth the pain and horror this year has caused. 

     Instead, I see about three dozen of teenage kids, all about my age. Dirty hair and blood smeared faces. Grimaces on every mouth. I know this is the best we have, that I should be happy I'm not completely alone in this, but it's disappointing. The world depends on these few people. The weight of it is on their shoulders. That's what we've gotten to. That's what society comes down to. A couple of beat up kids. 

     But Destiny's grimace disappears. We make our way throught the camp and she smiles. Slaps people on the back, shouts encouragement, and holds that hands of the wounded. She knows the war is lost, but puts her feelings aside, to make sure others are happy. I admire people like that. I've never fully been able to do it the way she does.

     Destiny leads me to the tent all the way in the back of the clearing. The tent is muddy, black with dirt, and torn. Inside, there are piles of books, notebooks, pencils, and diagrams. I figure it's the Commander's tent. You couldn't tell it was occupied though, because a pillow  and a blanket were stuffed hastly in a corner of the tent, indicating that sleep was not the top priority.

      That statement was eteched on the face of the Commander. Locradis, Destiny's long tem boyfriend, as she has breifly describe during our trek, was pale with dark black hair and sweet brown eyes. He was underfed, sleep-deprieved, and worried, but by girl standards, he was hot.

      "Hey Des," he says, his face lighting up when he sees her, giving her a quick, light kiss. "Who you got for us today?" he asks.

     "A girl I found past Base 8." she says. " Remember the format of introductions?" she mutters to me under her breath. 

      I start, frightened by how quickly I am expected to adapt.

      "Well, um, ah..." I stutter. "Verolina Walburg. I'm still iffy on the causes and shit of the unimportant matter," I say, trying to inject some humor into the situation. But they don't get it, and really, niether do I. I stutter again and go on.

     "Um, I suppose I'm good with a sword. I packed a knife as well though." I say, showing them.

     Destiny reminds me of what's next and I continue.

     "My skills. Well...ummm.. I can survive in the woods. I'm pretty quiet. I'm also a good reader. I can read and write and stuff. I'm strategic. I tend to think ahead and plan my moves," I explain, trying to conjure up anything that might be of importance in fighting the war. "No kills," I add quickly.

    "So far," Locradis says dryly.

    He sit down on a falling apart chair and looks at me for the longest time. 

    Now let me tell you something about myself. I hate when people look me up and down the way he was looking at me. It was like an evaluation. And I hate being judged.

    So just to get on his nerves, I walk over to his diagrams. It shows a map of the area, and their future plans for battle. I examine it for a while and then turn to him, launching into speech.

    "Talk about strategy. This won't work," I say, pointing to his diagram. "No way in hell it'll work. Your weakest point is here," I point. "And you're sending it against their strongest point." I point to the opposing army. "That's bullshit right there. Send you weakest fighters to the minor battles in the left wing. Your stronges solider should go to the most violent building fights, and you largest part of the troops should fight the major battles in the right wing. Now tell me, what kind of an idiot are you?" I say angrily. 

     He stares at me for a while then turns to Destiny.

     "Strategist and fighter," he says to her finally. " Don't let her out of your sight. Meetings and front lines, understood?"

     From his tone now, you ccould never have guessed they were together. He was as cold as he had been to anyone else. Same commanding tone. 

    Destiny was astonished. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes blugged.

   "Understood," she says, nevertheless.

    I follow her out of the tent.

   "So what squad and cause am I?" I ask finally, to break the silence.

   "You heard him. Front lines," she saysm as though it's perfectly obvious.

   We look at each other for a couple moments.

   "The cause if Wise Guy. That's because we're all fighting against the smarty pants people. Squads are just teams of 4 or 5 kids. That's how we organize ourselfs. 13 squags. Sections 1 with 5 squads, Section 2 with 5 squads, and 3 with 3. The higher the number, the more important the squad. Then there's Commander, Co-Commander, and strategy squad. They all fight of course, but a few, but they also attend Locradis' meetings. They plan out what goes on on the battlefield. The diagram you saw in the tent. That's what they do. But strategist are the best of the best. I've been trying to get in their meetings, but Locradis won't let me come close," she says with an exasperated sigh.

   "But aren't you guys like... together," I ask, trying to get this tough chick to open up. 

   "That doesn't get you anywhere. He's does what's best of the remains of the human race, not what's best for him or me," she says in a dark tone. "I understand though," she adds quietly.

   "Now obviously, he sees some gut and brain in you, so meetings at sun set. Got to be there sharp. Let's walk around for a bit, introduce you. Help you walk off the shock," she adds.

   "Alright," is all I can manage to say.

How is it? Suggestions and feedback make me VERY happy! This chapter is dedicated to @BOOKWORMdirectioneer. Check out her stories: Albus Severus and the Revenge of the Muggles and Escaping the Facade. She's supermegafoxyawesomehot and we have #writersswag :D