The Wishing Princess - Chapter 21

21. The Victor and the Defeated

The Queen, the old prune, was livid. Her whole army turned back! Why? She was too far back to realize what happened. All she saw was that the enemy cavalry slowly crossed her army and the progress halted.  And through her glass, she saw The Old Sarge stood by and conversed with the Princess. Why didn't he kill her? The Queen's mood was very dark, indeed.

The Queen personally led her reserve troops to turn back her retreating army toward the encampment. "Kill any who refuse." ordered the Queen. Though reluctant to kill their own fellow soldiers, they obeyed the Queen. Even the Old Warrior can see the logic: Either die like a soldier while fighting the enemy or die like a coward killed by their own army.

As the retreating army reached the Queen, they find that the Queen's Honor Guard stood in a line, aiming the musket at them. They were confused, but not the Sarge, who understood what's going on. The Old Warrior flanked the Queen and the Guards with his reserve troops. He eyed Sarge sadly, knowing that the Queen will kill The Old Sarge. It was time to say good bye.

Sarge signaled the group to stand still. Then he walked and faced the Queen by himself. "I fear that I have failed you, Your Majesty, for I cannot defeat the enemy."

"Why do you not attack while you still have troops?" demanded the Queen.

"The enemy cavalry was superior. No one could make a dent in their rank."

"Then you fight to the death! There is no excuse for you to return defeated."

"Your Majesty, a senseless slaughter is not the answer. We can regroup and attack again later, once the troops are rested." Sarge bowed his head.

"Nonsense!" said the Queen. "You will attack now!"

Sarge merely shook his head sadly. The troops were not only tired from forced march last night, they were undoubtedly weak from hunger. A meal and some rest, and the troops would fight much better.

"Sarge," said the Queen with extreme menace in her voice. "Face the troops and tell them what I tell you."

With reluctance, Sarge turned to face the troop. Sarge said, "The Queen desires that you turn back and attack the enemy encampment immediately."

The troops were undecided. They were broken. They had just waded through the dead and wounded attacking, and again while retreating. They had no desire to go back through the killing field once again.

The Queen added with a shout, "Or die!" With that statement, she shot The Old Sarge, honorable and loyal soldier to the Queen, in the back.

He had expected this. As blood poured from his wound, his breathing became labored. His knees became weak, and he sank to the sand. He looked up once more to the sky, saw the sun hanging in the sky. It was not even noon. It was only mid morning. He saw that the blue sky was without cloud and beautiful. Then his vision darkens, and he fell to the sand. As Sarge lie dying in the sand, he saw his troops. They were confused and scared. They cowered. Sarge regretted that he couldn't protect them anymore. Then he died.

Bereft of their leader, the untrained, undisciplined raw recruits didn't know what to do. They just stood there staring at their beloved Old Sarge. The Queen seethed with anger. Why didn't they turn back at the enemy? Clearly, she would kill them if they refused.

She signaled her Honor Guard. As one, they fired at the poor troops.