Soren's POV
The camp was silent except for the crackling of torches along the stone walls. Reports of the patrol had reached me earlier, and though the mission was a success, something stood out — one soldier had acted on his own, breaking formation, and engaging the enemy without command.
Unacceptable.
The boy might be growing fast, but under me, no one moves without orders. Not even a spark of arrogance would be tolerated in the ranks.
I stood in the courtyard, armored, my hands folded behind me, as the soldiers lined up under the pale glow of the moon. The boy, standing tall, led them in. Behind him was the soldier in question — young, firm, and fearless, but his eyes betrayed that pride which leads to downfall.
"Step forward," I commanded, my voice sharp as a blade.
The soldier hesitated, then obeyed. The boy glanced at him, confused but silent.
"You acted without order," I said, my tone steady. "You endangered your squad, disrespected your leader, and spat on the very chain of command that keeps you alive."
The soldier clenched his jaw. "I only wished to prove myself, Commander."
"Prove yourself?" I stepped closer, staring into his eyes until his confidence wavered. "A soldier doesn't prove himself by abandoning discipline. You're not here to shine — you're here to serve."
The boy shifted slightly, as though he wanted to defend him, but I cut that thought short with a raised hand.
"Strip him of his rations for a week. Double his watch duty. And lash him five times at dawn."
The soldier's face paled. Gasps rippled through the line.
The boy opened his mouth. "Commander, he—"
"Silence," I snapped, my gaze snapping to him. "Leadership means letting discipline breathe. If you shield him, you weaken your command. Remember that."
The boy swallowed his words, lowering his head.
As the soldiers dragged the punished one away, I lingered a moment longer, my eyes narrowing.
He had no idea.
None of them did.
The soldier I had just punished… was no ordinary recruit.
Even under disguise, even hidden in plain sight — my loyalty was to Chris Blackwood. And if His Majesty wanted to walk among the dirt, then I would ensure no one suspected a thing.
Not even the boy.