“Daddeh, what did ‘ou do duwin’ dah waw?”
[The upper text from a poster showing two foals on a farm looking up at their thinking father. With the bottom text being “No child wants a coward as a father, do you’re part”]
[Pov Ix]
When I awoke at the instructors bunk at Camp Driscoll, my very first thoughts were that I still couldn’t believe what I’ve been told. Tomorrow… Or now today… And wasn’t like we had the chance to ask Enoch anything, he and his entourage were gone right after he told us. As I started getting up my mind was racing of what I was going to do, I had never in my entire life taught before and now that in a few hours dozens of recruits were going to be here! No, I had to stay calm! I just had to do the same act as Dorri, be tough and commanding. With these remedying thoughts I put on my updated armor (It now updated to show my promotion, it being a new stripe that indicated I was now a commander(Or also instructor)) Once it is on I start to make my way to the mess hall, that was until I made it to the door and met Charles, who was putting his armor on and when noticing me spoke.
“Headin’ to dah mess haww?”
“Yeah”
Charles gets up and speaks.
“Come den, wet’s go.”
As me and Charles begin to walk down the halls of the fort I speak, sounding a bit down.
“Can’t believe that not that long ago, we were the ones training here.”
Charles speaks, sounding just as down.
“Yeah, those day’s when we wewe on guawd duty nu seem that bad nao.”
We both give a small chuckle and Charles continues.
“We’ww just hab to whip up these wecwuits bestes’ we can Ix. An’ actuawwy thinkin’ about it, Quin maybeh be dah best’ when it comes to dis stuff, she’s been hewe fo’ decades.”
I speak, following up closely after.
“If she even decides to come Charles, she didn’t travel with us to Camp Driscoll, or seemed that enthusiastic…”
Charles responds, a bit angrier.
“We’ww she bettew! Chawwes isn’t doin’ hew wowk whiwe she goes out an’ pawties wiff dah “high society” ow do stuff with hew owd boy toy…”
When we made it to the Mess Hall I was greeted by both Mac & Dac and WingScratch. And to be honest they seemed to be in good spirits, with Dac and WingScratch in a heated match of arm wrestling. The second we enter WingScratch looks at us, breaking her concentration and allowing Dac to beat her. Dac shouts as he rises.
“YES!”
WingScratch realizing what had happened shouts as well.
“Fuck!”
Both Mac and Charles let out a chuckle and as we find empty seats, mac turns to speak to us.
“Gud to see am awake!”
Looking at Mac I speak, with me taking off my glasses to wipe my eyes.
“The three of you don’t seem that worried. The recruits are coming at any time…”
WingScratch whos angers had mostly subsided now speaks, looking at me with a slightly condescending look.
“Now c’mon it isn’t that hard IX! It’s all about tearing down and building back up, one of the Talon training principles… To make a soldier, you first have to destroy the civilian! Got that?”
I nod slightly and WingScratch finishes.
“You better, you and Charles are the commanders here, you’re the ones running the show…”
It was less than 2 hours later when I was double checking our supplies, that it finally became time. A messenger had ran into the fort to tell us that the first batch of recruits were going to be here in 10 minutes, and we had to be outside. And once we get there, suited head to hoove (Or Talon in the case of WingScratch) We see the first wagon enter and there finally we see the new recruits, there being a dozen of them. They were about as what I expected, the same way I was… They all looked anxious and confused with them having faces that just said “Damn I can’t believe I’m actually here right now!” As the recruits began getting off the wagon Charles speaks, with him putting on his best authoritive voice.
“Awwite ebewyone come up to me an’ take a swip, an’ go to dah bunk wiff whatebah numbah 'ou get!”
As Charles finishes saying this I can see WingScratch slightly nodding at him and the recruits being walking towards Charles, all in a single file line. As the first recruit grabs his note I speak to him a tone that tried to equal Charles.
“City?”
The recruits speaks.
“Wewe fwom Gween Woof ma’am.”
I nod and the recruit leaves, heading towards the #7 bunk.
As the hour went by more and more wagons came in and dropped off there recruits. Seaside, Breadbasket, Davidson, New Junction, Leakytown, Port Xerxes, Cat’s Den, Outer Glow, HappyFarm, Stablelot (They didn’t even take a wagon, they just walked in) and Finally 4 wagons coming from both Outer Motor and Maximus. We were dealing with well over 100 recruits now, with ever bunk now filled to there maximum capacity. Now with us ready to ring the bell and to begin introductions, Charles turns to me and speaks.
“‘Ou feewin’ wike doin’ dah intwoduction ix?”
I think for a few moments than speak.
“Ugh, sure.”
Charles speaks, sighing.
“Gud! It’s way to hot fo’ fwuffy to speak woud enough fo’ aww of them to heaw…”
(Really Charles, that’s you’re reason for asking me to do this?)
As Charles rings the bell all the recruits begin walking out, them all lining up in a line with their bunk mates. Once they all get into position they all start staring at us and I knew it was time. So walking up I clear my lungs, and begin speaking like a commander.
“ATTENTION! Today you have decided to take the plunge into becoming the greatest warriors Motor had ever known, Royal Guards. This plunge will not be an easy one, his majesty expects some of the highest quality soldiers and bodyguards in the world, so if you expect to just halfass and get out of here in 3 weeks with a Royal Guardsmen salary I’d ask you leave right now!”
Things seemed to be going well, I continue.
“You may call me commander Ix and I will be one of you’re five instructors, with those instructors being Commander Charles to my right, Lieutenant Dac to my first left, Lieutenant Mac to my second, and Lieutenant WingScratch to my third. And for the fifth instructor Lieutenant Quin, she is currently on her way here.”
(Quin you better get here soon!)
As I start walking towards the recruits I signal to the instructors to follow me and as they do, I speak again.
“For the first few weeks of you’re training we will be focusing on physical fitness, you need be strong enough to even wear you’re armor you see. And once that’s done we move on to a mix of education and weapons training, than it’s on to advanced training. Any Questions?”
For a moment there is nothing but silence, and I was just abut to continue on and begin the tour of the camp, than a hoove raised from the middle section of the recruits and I speak.
“Yes?”
The recruit speaks.
“Am we goin’ to be sent out to fite those monstews to dah east?”
One of those questions… I was about to speak, but than Charles spoke to be quietly in my ear.
“Nu say anythin’ that isn’t confiwmed.”
I look at him and after a few seconds I nod, than answer the recruits question.
“That is only his majesties decision, Next!”
Again it seemed like more quiet and again I was about to begin the tour, than right at in the back section I heard a remark from a recruit that left me almost completely speechless…
"Excuse me… Ugh, Bix? Why am dah king’ wettin’ those gwoss bug cweatuwes teww us what to do?
Gross, Bug, Creatures… I was completely speechless, my jaw hanging low. I could hear a few of the recruits begin giggling and I felt myself beginning to shake, I had no idea what to say. I was about to turn around when I felt somebody snatch my left front leg and begin forcibly walking me towards the recruit who had said that. Than as I was about to look up to see what had grabbed me, I heard her familiar Puffy voice.
“How dare you let anyone disrespect you like that!”
It was WingScratch, and she looked completely furious. I had no idea what to say back to her, I was still so much and shock. And once we finally reach the spot of that recruit, it was obvious what caused him to say that. I had never seen a person look that drunk… The recruit seems completely unfazed, pointing to WingScratch and speaking in a mocking tone.
“Who am that am giw- ARGHHHHHHHHH!”
WingScratch didn’t even hesitate, with a single swoop with her talon she scratched the recruit across the right side of his face, near his eye. Instantly he fell to the ground, crying and bleeding and holding a hoove over his right eye, with there being pieces of flesh and blood around him. WingScratch screams at him.
“HOW FUCKING DARE YOU SPEAK TO A SUPERIOR OFFICER LIKE THAT! AND TO GET DRUNK IN YOU’RE BUNK, YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF SHIT! THAT’S IT ALL OF YOU NEED TO BE TOUGHT A LESSON, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU 50 LAPS AROUND THE CAMP!”
She acted and spoke with so much fury that everyone looked at her and shock and horror. But to me I felt completely weird. That horrible comment from a minute earlier had now completely found itself faded to the back of my mind, and I felt myself weirdly… Speechless but in a happy way? Seeing WingScratch go up and defend me like this, I had started fighting myself not to get emotional. Suddenly I refocused back on the current situation and looked to see everyone still in shock, with a few dozen actually starting to run. WingScratch seeing this shouts.
“NOW!”
The rest of the recruits start running immediately, including the drunkard. And I see WingScratch sigh heavily as she begins regaining her composure. Than without much hesitation she goes and hugs me, with her speaking in a much softer voice.
“Ix don’t let those words hurt you. When somebody says something like that you need to act on it, not just stand there. Overwise you did an excellent job speaking, I’m impressed. Now let’s head back now and let these newbies run themselves out of breath.”
As began to walk I held my head down, not because I was sad or ashamed. It was merely due to the fact I didn’t want WingScratch to see the blood rushing up to my face. Fin
Finally my internet is working somewhat… I hope everyone reading this has had the most wonderful of holidays! And if the internet continues to stay ok, I hope to finally have the next part of the story done before the end of they year. Of course constructive criticism is appreciated and may you have a good day (Or possibly new year…)