Belly of the Beast by Warren Thomas (story books for 5 year olds txt) 📕

smiling cruelly. “But just so a certain person isn’t so put out and morally outraged, I’ll explain why if you want.”

            “Yes,” Tane found himself saying. Raven tensed in front of him, while he heard Quinn’s faint groan.

            “Ha! Why did I know it would be you?” Corporal Pendar laughed. “All right, Tane, why do you think I made all of you endure such punishment this morning.”

            “I suspect because you’re a mean-spirited bastard,” he said honestly, and not caring if they threw him in the stockade or not. But he added, “No disrespect intended, Corporal Pendar.”

            “None taken, boy,” he said, grinning. “Now, the reason is simple. In battle, you very well could meet similar circumstances. Once you kill the soldier in front of you, another, then another, and so on, will step up to engage you. It won’t stop after four opponents like today, but continue for what seems like all eternity, only ending with victory for the company or death for you.”

            Tane was taken aback. Could it really have been a lesson, scheduled and routine? Had he misinterpreted everything? But one look at Corporal Pendar told him he hadn’t been mistaken about everything. Pendar was a sadistic bastard, and clearly enjoyed watching them beat each other senseless time and time again.

            By that time they had reached the mess hall door, so Corporal Pendar ended with, “After lunch we’ll return for more formation drill. This time, though, we’ll stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Corporal Disa’s squad, and fight another section. And Gods forbid we should lose, for Sergeant Gareth has money riding on the outcome, and he’s a bigger bastard than I ever dreamed of becoming.”

            “I can attest to that,” Raven muttered under her breath.

            Corporal Pendar’s eyes bore into her a moment, then he grinned and strode away to eat. As he left, Tane felt his shoulders start to relax. He hurt all over. His lips were busted in two places, and one eye was blackened. All the others looked at least as bad, with Raven looking the worst of all.

Chapter 14

            After eating, they were marched back to the parade ground and formed up beside Corporal Disa’s squad. Like Pendar’s squad, every member of Disa’s squad was bloody and bruised.

            The section was left standing at attention for over an hour, while both corporals left for unexplained reasons. At first Tane didn’t mind. The early autumn breeze rolling over the barracks and city walls was cool and refreshing, and he was still cooling down from the morning drills. But after a while he became restless, and the strain of not moving began taking its toll.

            “Wiggle your toes,” Quinn whispered out the side of his mouth when Tane found himself suddenly light-headed and swaying. “And don’t lock your knees straight.”

            “Locking your knees will cut off the blood to your brain,” Raven whispered. Tane thought that the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard, but noticed Quinn nodding agreement. “You’ll faint, and fall flat on your face. I suspect that is exactly what they’re trying to cause, the bastards.”

            Though doubtful, Tane followed their instructions and found himself feeling better. Still, the strain was fast becoming unbearable. How could anyone be expected to stand ramrod straight and perfectly still? And why was such a simple thing so impossible? Then the big Tyrian in Corporal Disa’s squad fell face first into the dirt.

            “See,” Quinn said. “Everard locked his knees.”

            Tane suppressed a grin. It was Everard who broke his shoulder the day before. It still ached dully, and probably would for the next weak. Joelle said the medical mage could’ve done a better job and totally healed him, but was too stingy with his hoarded energies.

            Reckless bastard could’ve killed me, Tane thought, eyeing the Tyrian narrowly.

            “I love it when they kiss the dirt,” Sergeant Gareth laughed as he walked up from behind. Corporals Pendar and Disa were with him, and all three were in their chain mail armor and helmets. Tane wondered how long they had been behind them watching and waiting. “Welcome to the bloody army, Everard Boarsbane!”

            The now beardless Tyrian rose slowly to his feet and shook his head a second. He dusted himself off and stepped back into line as if he had meant to fall on his face, and it all meant nothing. Tane remembered his mother swearing that Tyrians knew no shame.

            The corporals took their positions at either end of the section while Sergeant Gareth walked down the line looking his troops over. He paused only twice. Once to laugh at Everard, and the last time to admire Raven’s bruised and bloody countenance.

            “Having fun, Princess Bloody-nose?” he taunted.

            “More fun than talking with you, Sergeant Black-tooth,” she countered. “Or should I say, Sergeant Black-toof!”

            Tane thought he was going to faint. Why did she say that?! Was she crazy? Did she have a death wish?

            “Really?” Sergeant Gareth said, eyes cold as ice. “I heard you cried like a baby each time you were being beaten bloody by your comrades.”

            Tane winced at his words. Only Quinn and Armin hadn’t shed any tears. But neither of them could stand for several minutes after the others were through with them. Corporal Pendar never let anyone escape without being thoroughly beaten into the ground.

            “What, no biting retort?” Sergeant Gareth said.

            “I cried for your poor mother who had to kiss such an ugly child,” she said. Tane was horrified she insulted his mother like that. “Good enough?”

            He eyed her narrowly a long moment, then grinned mirthlessly. Finally, he shrugged and continued down the line. While he had been taunting Raven, another section had formed up and started their way. Sergeant Gareth took his position beside Tane just as the other section arrived.

            “Sergeant Gareth, you bring my winnings?” the other sergeant called.

            “I brought my coin, but just for show. We both know I’ll be the one spending your hard won coin tonight,” he