User blog:DMUA/The whimpering of an old dog

The sun shined through the windows as the boy stirred awake. The woman beside him was still holding on to him. Good. Warmth was useful, even if it's easier to get than it was in Winter.

Getting them off was a bit annoying, but he had gotten used to it. Just gently struggling against their grip worked well enough on this one, too.

He got his clothes and armaments together, and stepped outside, walking down the road to meet the rest of the soldiers. Now that everyone had taken a day to rest, it was time to march to the front lines.

He had plenty of time to think, as his leather boots crunched through dirt. Not much to ponder, but he noticed that his clothes didn't fit him as well anymore. The tunic was tight in places, and he couldn't move his toes as freely. He'd have to ask for new ones, once they're done with the next fight.

The soldiers stood at the edge of the settlement, all armed and ready. All they needed was one more.

"Ah, Fen! About time you showed up! I suppose you slept in good company?"

The leader of the band waved, as everyone else looked over at the arrival.

"As always."

"As always? Pfft, what a young man you are, getting to say that!"

He didn't respond, as he brushed his hand through his long black hair.

"Well, you missed breakfast, but I saved you a share. Time for us to get moving!"

He threw some bread Fen's way, which was easily caught and swiftly devoured.

The trip took a few days, but nothing but the trudging of boots filled the time. Eventually, they saw a camp in the distance, and even further beyond that, a fortress on a river.

Eventually, they came into the camp, and the guards welcomed them, pointing them to a tent where people were planning.

Once they got to the tent, it was just as Fen expected. More of the same, impenetrable, key point in defense, a turning point in the war... Fen didn't really care about any of it. He was just going to do the same thing as always.