The next day, it was time to start training the men to turn them into cold-blooded killers and turn boys into men. We had stations all around the barracks… the archery station, the swordsman station, and the station that puts hairs on your chest, which was the conditioning station to whip their asses into fighting shape. All the men had to progress on each of the stations before we sent them into battle. Otherwise, they would all likely meet their inevitable demise. Little by little, day by day, they were starting to impress me. I was a commander, so I walked around them as they trained. They all had heart, as they were giving it all they had. I was proud of these fine men.
There was a boy named Timothy, trying to swing his sword, but he wasn't quite strong enough just yet. He looked frightened as I walked up to him. I crouched down to level with him. "You're a mean little bastard, aren't you?"
"I want to fight, Ser Alex!" he said, with bravery in his heart.
"You can and you will! You can do your part by protecting your mother and sisters… here… take this." I said, as I handed him my special dagger, which I had gotten as a gift many years ago. It was made of steel, and the handle had a wooden grip with design patterns carved into it.
"One of the sharpest blades in all Greengrass. Nobody is going to want to mess with you with that blade!"
"Thank you, Alex!"
"You're welcome, slugger. Now, run along to your mum." I told him, as I watched him run like the wind, in awe… as I began to remember my days as a child… reflecting on my life, the good… the bad… all of it.
I looked around as I marched up and down the crowd of warriors training with passion. I thought we might have a chance from the looks of it, if the men keep this spirit. Battle is different, though. When it turns to blood and guts and screams and cries… only then do you find out who you truly are. You are either the lion or you are the lamb in this life.