Chapter Text
The night grew longer and longer as I kept thinking. I just couldn't get my eyes to close without them popping open seconds later.
The room was full of new recruits such as myself. They were snooring, sleeping soundly. The room's window were wide open against the humid air of the summer. I wasn't used to the weather. I felt hot and clammy, but still I shiverred. It was my first night in the Black Company and I didn't quiet know what to make of it. I know I had no choice but to get in, but still the things I heard from the town's folks weren't helping my nerves.
I knew I wasn't the fighter, that wasn't my issue. It was what become of the wounded. I haven't had any real action as a physician. During my training there were some accidents where I was the one to fix things. But it's another thing to have one urgent bleeding than having twenty.
So the night went on, and soon the day's first sunlight hit my feet. The warmth felt good, but the nice feeling vanished as I realised it was already time to get up.
The morning came quick with everyone getting ready for the day. I got out as well. Got myself some oats even though I was sure nothing would stay in my stomach. I sat at a free table by myself. I hadn't had the chance to talk with anyone. Only the Captain and the Lieutenant who didn't seem very satistied with me. No wonder. I was shaking like a leaf the whole time they interviewed me. I wouldn't trust myself either.
I stirred the oats. Looked around. The room was full and warm. Everyone looked relaxed. I knew that for them it was just another day of battle. I found eyecontact with a huge grizzly of a guy and looked away as quick as I could. But my eyes betrayed me and looked back up to find their whole table laughing.
"Seen the new guy over there?" - said the grizzly.- "What could a stick of a guy like that help in a fight?"
I decided it's best to ignore them.
I was so focused on looking down at my bowl that I didn't even notice another soldier coming up to my table.
"Is this seat free?" - he said.
I didn't even look up just hummed a yes. He sat and started eating. The chatter of the room filled my head. I tought I really should get something in me but as soon as I got my spoon close to my mouth the rest the day flashed before my eyes. The bloody gloves, bandage. Soldiers screaming, blood spurting. Why did I even choose this life?
"Hey, why aren't you eating that?" - said the guy sitting in front of me with mouth full of cheese.
"I'm not hungry in the morning usually."
"Well, I'm just saying because its gonna be a long time 'till noon."
I bobbed my head slowly. I started to feel tired. It is going be a long.day like this. My eyes closed for a second.
"You a new recruit as well, ye? What's your name?" - the guy said. I looked up at him with my eyes half-closed and my vision blurry. He was very muscular for someone around my age, but he wasn't as big as the grizzly guy. His eyes sparkled with curiosity for my answer.
"People call me Croaker. I guess it's obvious why." I made an awkward grin.
"Hah! Nice to meet you. The name's Elmo. You really should eat."
I considered it for a while. Looked at the oat. Ate a bite and almost spit it back. It was worse than I thought it would be.
"If it's so bad why didn't you pick something tasty? Like cheese or dried meat, maybe some bread with honey?"
"Well, as I said I wasn't hungry."
He looked at me with some pity in his eyes and handed me some meat from his plate. "Here, I'm full anyways."
"Thanks." I accepted it.
I ate and felt a little better. Elmo seemed nice. The first person to talk to me here. Felt good. He got up and started for the door. I decided I'm not going to lose my chance at making a friend.
"Hey! Which position will you fight in?" - I asked before he got far. He stopped and turn to face me.
"They put me to the front. They aren't very kind." - he looked a bit sad, but still got a weak smile.
"And you? We should watch out for another."
"Oh, i'm a medic. So I won't help in the fight. But I
if you got any problem you can come to me. I'll do my best."
"That's great! Don't get me wrong but I hope we won't meet soon." Then he left.