Note: This chapter contains strong language, bullying, and abuse. Please proceed with caution.
Sachse saw the sunlight through his closed eyes and rolled his body off of the plank, hitting the ground fast.
"Fuck." He muttered, standing as he squeezed his nose, blood trailing down his philtrum. He checked every pocket of his trousers before he searched every crevice of the alley, coming up with twenty-three coins, all worth one by itself.
Alright, I'll head to the library today. he decided as he scrounged the space for coins. Ms. Leah will hate me if I don't show up twice a week. I'll go to the market afterward for food.
He ducked through the vines towards the library, sticking close to the wall immediately. He had to be prepared if the group would jump at him in broad daylight.
He walked into the market, weaving between the crowds of people before his hand touched the library door, turning the knob and entering the comforting room.
Ms. Leah looked over from behind a shelf and smiled at him. "Sachse. Always glad to see you." She chuckled under her breath. "I guess you haven't heard the news."
He froze, hand behind him as he shut the door. "What do you mean?"
"The Witches launched war a few days ago. All men are required to sign up for war. You're an adult, aren't you?"
"Yes, miss."
She set the stack of books she was holding on the counter and noticed something out the window. "Ah. Here they come."
Sachse jumped away from the door, whipping out his wand as a group of older men burst through the door. The one in front turned his eyes to Ms. Leah.
"Leah. Has your volunteer arrived yet?"
"Right here," Sachse said, drawing their eyes to him. "What do you- What are you doing? Get your hands off me!"
He yelled protests and kicked their legs as they grabbed him by the arms, one snatching his wand to seem important as the others carried him out of the door. The market laughed as he was paraded down the street towards a stall in front of a tent and plopped into a rickety stool next to it.
"Found him." a man said, shoving a fat hand over his mouth. Sachse tried to bite his palm, but he gave no reaction.
The officer laughed as he struggled. "Sachse Tanneberg. Knew you'd resist." He wrote some bits on the parchment. "How's Uraya?"
The man took his hand off of his mouth, wiping the scratches of blood away on his trousers. Sachse glared at the officer, remembering that day as if it had just been witnessed.
"She's been dead for five years. Thanks for asking."
He laughed and slapped the back of his head. "Such a jester, this kid. A shame your parents can't see you now. They'd have run away all over again."
"Thank you, sir," Sachse said to the laughing crowd of men waiting for a turn to sign up. "What am I here for?"
"Conscription. For war." The next man in line said. "I suppose being alone for so long knocked a few screws loose, eh?"
Sachse tried not to move his facial muscles. At least Corrin was still being discreet about their arrangement.
"I assume."
The officer pretended to write down a few more quips before he shoved him out of the seat. "You're clear. Next!"
A man grabbed his arm and yanked him up, but Sachse shook him off. "I'm going, alright?"
Sachse walked into the tent, but one of the men inside kicked him through the exit, having him fall again before he could even see the camp. He stood up and found a corner to hide in and observe, holding his ribs to check on the bandages Corrin had wrapped.
Young men carried items and helped out wherever they could, assisting their elders and sneaking alcohol into their pants when they weren't looking. Sachse buried himself deeper into the corner, knowing the mistreatment he'd get in the incredibly near future simply for his existence.
"Oh, fuck it," he muttered, stepping out from behind the tent.
He found Corrin's golden curls immediately, surrounded by his friends, all of them at work. A few looked in his direction and smiled before running towards him.
"Shit, shit, shit, shit," Sachse muttered, slowing down his pace, bracing himself before Tori grabbed his shoulder and pulled him into a one-armed hug around his neck, ruffling his hair aggressively. He saw Corrin excuse himself to the sir before he and the others joined the mob.
Argat had put him in a headlock that was causing his breathing to come short by the time the rest had caught up to them, assisting in forming the circle around him before Erwin grabbed Corrin's shoulder and shoved him to face his back.
"Hold him still, yeah?" he asked, raising his boot to kick him in the stomach. Sachse braced himself for the pain as Argat and Tori held up his arms, grinning, as it wouldn't be the end-
"Settle down, settle down." a servant droned as he passed by with the chief. The boys instantly stood up and bowed to the group, leaving Sachse stumbling and dazed at the sudden change in behavior. The chief and his servants caught everyone's attention instantly, and they all watched as they made their way to a stage with a podium and few seats, following them from a distance.
"Listen up." their chief ordered as the other men began to join the circle of onlookers. "You all have heard the news of those vile Witches who attacked our town. This camp is to train you to be men! To be soldiers willing to fight for this town and for their women and children!"
The men cheered in response, already getting excited about the honor they would get from this task. Ulric, the closest behind Sachse, chuckled. "Well, not the women, in someone's case."
The group muffled their laughs as Tugan and Corrin shushed them, Tugan fighting a laugh himself.
The chief continued. "We will split you at the age of 25. Those at that age and younger will follow…this man in red." He motioned to the man on his right, having clearly forgotten his name, as the man raised his hand. "And those above that age will follow this man in blue." He now motioned to the man on his left, who wore grey, but still raised his hand.
Corrin tried to pay attention, but his friends kept harassing Sachse, punching and poking previous injuries so he would flinch, all while they whispered slurs in his ear. Remon jabbed Sachse in the ribs from in front of him, causing him to gasp in pain and hold his bandages up under his tunic.
"Tanneberg!" a servant yelled. "How dare you interrupt your chief?"
Sachse saw all the eyes on him, and those that had been hitting him just now faked shock, while Corrin copied their expressions. He had seen it enough to realize his fakeness.
"I-I didn't do anyth-"
"Don't feed me that bullshit! Stand here now!"
The crowd in front of him parted, nearly everyone hearing the jangle of coins in his pocket as he walked up to the podium to stand in front of the servant who had called him out.
The chief cleared his throat three more times before speaking. "As I was saying, this camp is to weed out the unmanly men from this lot and turn you into soldiers. Now, we will split you at the age of-"
A servant leaned over to him and whispered in his ear. "Sir, sir, you already said that."
"Did I?" he asked, trying to cover up his mistake. "Forgive me. You…now have your…repeat that for me." He whispered toward the servant next to him, who was feeding him his lines through his ear. "Oh, your assignments. Follow the men aforementioned and they will lead you to your sleeping quarters to prepare for tomorrow's activities. Sleep well, children. You'll need it."