Tessa moved in the direction of the royal stables, passing via the South Gate. The lengthy structure that connected the army barracks and the inner keep shimmered with the same ice material that covered all the other significant buildings in the kingdom. The keep, stables, and barracks were all located behind an old volcano. Tessa could see the House of Quartz and the House of Coal, two of the four royal residences that were affixed to the inner keep's corners. On the other side, facing the cliff's edge, were the higher-ranking households of Iron and Steel.
As she passed, a group of third-year recruits saluted with orange crescent moons on their lapels. Tessa nodded and pretended not to hear when one of the less reserved ones started chatting before she was out of earshot. Do you believe she truly avoided 300 arrows?
There are 300 arrows. Tessa laughed, causing her mouth to twist. The air had a bite to it, and the sun was low in the sky. The horse trainers would soon be making their way back from the desolate fields beyond the village cottages. Tessa entered the semi-darkness by swinging open the stable doors and breathing in the comforting aroma of hay and horses. Most likely, Tia was once again cleaning one of the stalls. Tessa received manure duty frequently when she was a little girl. Naturally, this stable was far cleaner than the home's tiny stable with its two horses.
Leather saddles hung on the doors of the broad stalls that were still occupied in the rows and rows that bordered the walls. As Tessa continued into the darkened building in search of the young girl, she peered into them. When an irate voice spoke out from a few cubicles in front of her, she asked, "Why am I surprised? You traitor's spawn, can't you even shovel shit properly?
Tessa's throat boiled with rage, and every bone in her body screamed for her to charge the bastard and rip him to pieces. But Tia wouldn't benefit from it. Her parents, a mother and father who fled the Warrior Kingdom to become No-Landers, were runaways. It would be clear that Tessa was supporting the offspring of the traitors if she beat the soldier to a pulp for calling Tia what she was. and what follows? Many people despised Tessa for being mixed-blood, but they were unable to approach her due to her rank. They would have targeted the little girl if they had known she had compassion for Tia.
Tessa approached the stall's edge while her fingers curled in annoyance to take in the scene. While turning his back on Tessa, a recruit was petting a restless black horse. Tia was curled up next to him, her face smeared with faeces and tears. She had been kicked by the scum. Calm. Be composed. But how was she supposed to maintain her composure when all she wanted to do was choke them all? The recruit believed it was okay to mistreat a 7-year-old youngster. The teachers left her to a life of cubicle cleaning by refusing to give her any skills. And her parents, who had tried to flee but failed to find her in the woods, left their kid doomed to this fate for all time.
It was crucial for Tessa to advance swiftly because she wanted to keep Tia safe. Tessa would be provided with a personal butler of her choice after she was promoted to captain. She would then finally have the ability to free Tia from the stables and give the young woman a chance at a better life. She would command some respect in her capacity as an officer's servant. Nobody would be able to shove a boot smeared with shit in her face, at the very least. But before that...
"Recruit, would you mind explaining why you are shouting next to a wary horse? Tessa's tone was smooth as silk, concealing her emotions.
The third-year turned around, his eyes widening as they moved from the hue of her hair to the silver crescent on her chest. He appeared to be around fourteen years old and was a good hand taller than Tessa thanks to his average warrior height. He scurried to stand at attention, nevertheless, at her rank. "Sir, I'm really sorry! I was supposed to ride the horse to the skating rink, but this chick got in the way.
Are you saying that you delayed the horse trainers so that you could step around a stable girl? Tessa focused her eyes tightly on him, enjoying the way he appeared anxious. "Recruit, what is your name?"
"Lorik, Sir,"
"Lorik. After training, get the horse out of here and go to the climbing wall. There will be ten rounds for you.
I agree, sir. In dismay, the child seized the horse's bridle.
Tessa crouched down next to the silent Tia after waiting for the sound of horses' hooves to stop. The girl was able to sit herself down and was staring at her with tear-filled eyes that tore at her heart.
"Let's get you over to the medical ward."
Tia swiftly shook her head and said, "No, no Lieutenant. "It wasn't that painful. I recently... I recently got a little scared. The girl bit her lips to keep them from trembling, but she didn't say a word.
A warrior had to always have courage. As she assisted Tia in standing up, Tessa felt Tia's brittle bones with her hands. The question "Have you eaten?"
Tia nodded but avoided making eye contact. She had surmised as much. Tessa yelled, "Take this," and reached into her inside breast pocket to reveal a little loaf of bread. Because the Warrior Kingdom was unable to cultivate its own crops, food imports from the Greenlands were carefully rationed. Finding another when someone took your share was nearly impossible, especially for a servant with Tia's standing. How frequently did she skip meals?
When the girl raised her hand to object, Tessa responded, "Take this," and pushed the bread at her. It's a command.
Tia seized the bread and held it tightly between her breasts with both hands. Lieutenant, you are always so gracious to me.
Tessa cleared her throat as she noticed the girls' grateful looks. "Stealing someone else's food is against the law. You can inform a superior if they steal your meals again.
Tia said with a smile, biting into the bread, "They don't do it much. They'll probably think of other things to do if I report it." Tessa was able to decipher her message despite her rambling speech. She was currently being bullied because of what her parents allegedly did to her, which was a slight. If people started to despise her for something she was genuinely accountable for, things could get much worse for her. Tessa had learned that lesson far too early. Additionally, she had never reported food theft.
How long till it becomes dark? When does your shift end? Tessa attempted to give her voice a more upbeat tone, but it sounded just as dreary as she did. Even though Tia had stopped weeping, her nose was still red, and now that she was standing straight, Tessa could see boot prints on her shirt.
Only this stall and the one down by the door remain to be cleaned. They'll then allow me to rest.
"I see." Tessa extended her hand and stroked the young girl's head. Although she felt uncomfortable, Tia's eyes brightened, and she gave a small smile. I promise to return soon.
Tessa paused and turned on her heel before leaving the stall with nothing more to say. She waited for a short while in the dim light, watching Tia as she picked up her work again. Her poor strength would make the task take her hours to complete. Before she had to oversee the early evening shift change, Tessa had some free time. She encircled her shoulders before making her way to the building's basement storeroom in search of a spare shovel.