by Robin Roseau
“You’d promote her to captain?”
“I have nothing to do with it,” he said. “You are her commanding officer. I am here to advise you. But you do not promote her. You make a recommendation to your commanding officer.”
“So, my sister?” I grinned.
“Not your sister,” Father said with a laugh. “Not this time.”
“So, Your Majesty? I don’t want to ask her if you’re opposed.”
“I want to see what she says. She may not want a promotion, for any of a variety of reasons.”
“Why wouldn’t she want a promotion?”
“Because she may want to manage people and not teams,” explained Major Hollsard. “So, shall we invite her inside?”
“Yes.” I moved to the door, poked my nose out, and said, “Sergeant, you are required.”
From down the hall she nodded. I held the door for her, and then she took a seat Ahlianna had for her. She looked a little perplexed.
“Sergeant Felist,” I said. “I have achieved a promise from Father. For as long as you and I both agree, you are permanently assigned as a member of my team, and most likely as the leader of my team.”
“Your Highness,” she said, smiling broadly. “Thank you.”
“That took about fifteen seconds,” I told her. “The rest of the conversation discussed the intricacies of my real request. I have asked for a promotion for you.”
“I don’t need a promotion, Your Highness.”
“It was discussed at length, mostly so I understood what I was asking. And now, everyone in this room wants to know what you think.”
“Take your time, Sergeant,” Father said.
“Do you need help identifying the implications, Sergeant?” asked the major.
“I think I understand the implications. I have two questions. If I decline a promotion, will another officer be assigned to the team?”
“Not at its current size,” Father said. “And Princess Darfelsa has expressed in no uncertain terms how she feels about anyone giving you orders, other than her.”
“Princess,” she whispered. Then she nodded. “Is there a sergeant you want to place into my position?”
“No,” said the major. “But it is possible you would recommend a promotion, or you may continue to act as you currently do, as both your team’s sergeant and officer, reporting to the princess.”
“Mariya, they told me I was your commanding officer.”
“You are,” she said. “I would like to say that I have absolutely no interest in that changing, but I will do my duty to my country.”
“Then that part won’t change,” said Father. “But for that to continue, it may be at some point you will be forced to accept a promotion, be it now or later. That could happen next week, but I don’t anticipate it.”
“I have more questions.”
“Ask,” Father said.
“Am I being offered a promotion, or is it under discussion what my role will be?”
“Father, may I say ‘yes, she is’?”
“Yes, Sergeant, but there are implications to your decision.”
She nodded. “Have you explained to Princess Darfelsa about the concept of ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’?”
“Frankly, Sergeant,” said Father. “I couldn’t care less about that.” He sighed. “I suppose others do.”
“Others do,” Agreed Major Hollsard.
“I’ve heard the phrase,” I said.
“Officers typically have a higher level of formal education,” he explained. “That frequently means they tend to come from higher ranks of society, in order to have paid for that.”
“Oh. I don’t care about that.”
He smiled but gestured to Mariya. “There are implications, Darfelsa, that you need to understand.”
“Then explain it.”
“The assumption is that a lieutenant knows which fork to use in any particular sitting.”
“Your manners are just fine, Sergeant. And we’re not talking about lieutenant, either.”
She smiled briefly at that but sobered. “My manners are not sufficiently fine for a formal meal in the palace. I do not know the intricate dances. I don’t play a musical instrument. I know how to help you dress only because I’ve been helping you dress, but no one would ask me to help for a formal event here. I don’t own a single gown, and I wouldn’t even know how to buy one.”
“I get it. You weren’t raised with the title of Lady. Neither was Allium. I don’t care.”
“I might. And I don’t have the education.”
“Well, it’s a good thing the princess will be in Barrish for a while,” said the major. “As you could do some studying. As the princess wants you as the head of her security team, then you probably should do that, regardless of your rank.”
“If this is about gowns,” I said. “I’ll buy you some gowns. Mother would love to help.”
“It’s not about gowns,” Mariya said. “It’s about not embarrassing you, Princess. If your sergeant belches in public, well, she’s only a sergeant.”
“And you’ve never heard me belch?” I asked. “You think being born to society means we’re immune to the basic functions of our bodies?”
“You sound upset.”
I paused. “Father, she hasn’t said a thing I think should matter. Am I missing something I should see?”
“No, Daughter,” he replied. “You, like me, are focused on the things that truly ought to matter. Sergeant, I do not know you well, but my impression is that you are deeply intelligent. You wouldn’t be a sergeant in the Royal Guard otherwise; you would have remained in one of the other services. Do you believe I am wrong?”
“I’ve never thought of myself as deeply intelligent, Your Majesty, but if you’re asking if I’m capable of learning, I am.”
“Neither Princess Darfelsa nor myself care about the things you mentioned. We do not care about the concept of ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’. I understand you feel lacking in those areas. I believe, as you have been in close proximity to the princess for the last two years, that you have probably picked up more than you realize. And the major has already made suggestions for any areas of education you feel are lacking.”
“You believe I should accept this promotion?”
“I am focused on what is important to me,” he said. “You, at some point, need to decide if you wish to order individuals, or are you ready to order teams.”
She shifted her gaze to me. “You said it wouldn’t be lieutenant.”
“I received an education, but I began the conversation suggesting Captain, and no one told me that was inappropriate.”
“Captain Mariya Felist,” she whispered. “That’s what you’re offering?”
“Yes, Mariya.”
“I would be honored, Princess.”
“Congratulations, Captain,” Father said immediately.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” she said.
“Captain,” said the major. “I can help guide your education, but you are not in my chain of command.”
“Princess Darfelsa remains my commanding officer.”
“Just so,” he agreed.
“I welcome your advice,” Mariya said.
“I’ll have insignia for you,” said Major Hollsard.
“Captain,” Father said. “You’ll need a dress uniform. In the past, new officers went into debt paying for it, which has never pleased me. Some years ago, the policy was changed. You will receive a bonus payment that should be sufficient for a new dress uniform. It will not cover your complete cost if you are not careful or if you choose to purchase a particularly traditional dress uniform.”
Mariya smiled. “I think I know what to get.”
“Your new pay will begin effective today,” he added. “You won’t see the full amount for a pay period.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.”
“I would like to know what you intend for a sergeant,” said the major.
“I have choices.”
“You do,” he said. “This is a conversation with your commanding officer, but she’s not exactly an expert, so I’m sticking my nose in.”
“Major, on these issues, I hope I can trust you to always stick your nose in. I’ll tell you if I want you to pull it back out.”
“Very good, Princess. You may continue to serve a dual role, which means you would continue as you have. You may ask for a sergeant, although we do not currently have any women able to take the role, and I have the impression the princess prefers no men.”
“I do,” I confirmed.
“Or you may recommend a promotion to your commanding officer.”
“I want to talk to the squad,” Mariya said. “I believe we took an oversized squad into Ressaline, and I am unsure what to expect in the future.”
“In Barrish,” Father said. “I would prefer you rotate your team into the general Royal Guard, although you can draw as necessary for the princess’s needs. When leaving Barrish, I do not want your squad any smaller than it has been, and I may choose to grow it.”
“Thank you for clarifying, Your Majesty,” she said. “I would like to talk to the squad and verify what I already know, but then I would like to discuss one or two promotions.”
“Very good, Captain,” I said, taking over. “Father, I believe a ceremony is appropriate.”
“Quite so.”
“You, or me?”
“To captain or below? You. Above that, the two of us.”
“All right, then.” I grinned. “Sergeant, your new rank will become effective in approximately thirty minutes.” I paused and sighed. “Father, Court or the training grounds?”
“Not Court. That’s too formal.”
I nodded. “Sergeant, please assemble the squad. I will meet you on the training grounds in a half hour.”
She smiled broadly. “Yes, Princess Darfelsa.”
“Major, I will need her new insignia. Are there special words to say?”
“Speak from your heart,” he said. “May I attend?”
“If I didn’t want an audience, I wouldn't have chosen a public location. Father, am I excused?”
“Yes, Daughter.”
I leaned to my sister. “Please be there.” She nodded. And then I swept from the room.
* * * *
I collected everyone. I didn’t tell anyone why. I found the major. He handed me a small case. I opened it and nodded, then made sure I could remove the marks of rank without being awkward about it.
“What do I do?”
“You should whisper whether she minds if you remove the old insignia. They are sewn on. She may not wish to do that to this uniform. If you do it, then you use a small knife to cut the stitching. Otherwise, these pin in place.” He showed me on his uniform. “Be very precise, Princess. They should be neat and straight. They go this way.” He showed me.
“Thank you, Major.”
“I would like to watch, but from the edges.”
“Of course. Thank you.”
By the time I arrived, everyone else was there, including my sister, talking to Gionna. Mariya was supervising a training exercise for the squad. I stepped up to her and said in a firm voice. “Sergeant Felist, please assemble the squad.”
“You heard the princess,” she said. “Line it up!” She sounded very much like a sergeant, except for the grin.
“Sergeant Felist, you have served me faithfully and well for three years, and I deeply appreciate everything you have done for me. However, you have a shortcoming, and we’re here to address it. In consultation with Princess Ahlianna and Major Hollsard, I have requested permission from King Leander, and he has offered his wholehearted approval.”
I stepped closer and spoked quietly. “Major Hollsard told me to ask if you want me to cut the old ones off.”
“Yes,” she said.
“Then you may hold this.”
I suspect to some, the small case was a giveaway, but it wasn’t until I drew Mariya’s own blade from her belt and went to work on the stitches that more people realized what was happening. I worked carefully, handing her one of the insignia, and then the other. I replaced her knife, opened the case, and then, as she held the case, withdrew the first of her captain’s insignia.
“You are no longer Sergeant Mariya Felist of the Royal Guard,” I said. “With the blessing of my father, and also ratified by my sister, Crown Princess Ahlianna, our future queen, you are the permanent leader of my security team.” I pinned the first in place, then the other. “To all assembled here, I would like to present Captain Mariya Felist, honored officer of the Royal Guard, and my friend. Congratulations, Captain!”
I immediately began applauding, but was drowned out by all the others.
Mariya was swarmed, first from her squad, then from others of the guard, as well as our friends. Major Hollsard used the chaos to step to my side. “Something we didn’t discuss. In the next few days, she’s going to recommend some promotions. Those go to you. When a captain or higher recommends a promotion to corporal, unless there is a very, very good reason to deny it, they are automatically granted. Promotion to sergeant requires approval from that officer’s commanding officer.”
“Which is I.”
“That is correct. Promotions below captain are generally below the notice of your father, although in this case, it was appropriate. She is unlikely to recommend promotions above sergeant. If she does, I recommend both of you talk to me before talking to your father.”
“I can just approve the others?”
“Yes, Princess.”
I grinned. “Excellent.”
“Normally, you would also handle the paperwork, but as a courtesy, I will do this one for you. I’ll have something for you to sign and will send it to your office.”
“Thank you, Major.”
“I’ll also make sure your staff knows how to handle this in the future.”
“I wonder when I’ll stop thanking you.”
He laughed. “I’m happy to be of service.” He gestured. “This was well-done, Princess. She should say a few words.”
“You’re right.” I clapped him on the shoulder and stepped forward. “Captain Felist!” I said loudly. Everyone grew quiet, and she stepped towards me. “It would be appropriate for you to say a few words.” And then I closed the remaining distance and offered a Ressaline greeting as an excuse to whisper to her. “Keep it brief. You should talk about being honored to serve, and thanking those who got you here. Remember to mention the king, and find something nice to say about him. Got this?”
“I’ve got this, Princess. Thank you.”
She stepped away and looked around. “I-” She broke off then started over. “There are certain days that I’ll always remember. For a long time, the greatest honor in my life was the day I was accepted into the Royal Guard. I was relatively young, but it was still a demotion in rank and pay. I didn’t care. I would be helping to protect the royal family, and I couldn’t imagine a higher calling.
“Several years later, I was promoted to sergeant. I was so proud, as that promotion was an important recognition. But it wasn’t as momentous as the day I joined the guard.
“Three years ago, a young woman appeared on these very training grounds, dressed in a very unexpected style. Oh, the style wasn’t unexpected, but seeing Princess Darfelsa in that clothing was quite unexpected. A princess should look like a princess!”
She got laughs for that.
“She stepped up, asked who was the ranking guard present, and then asked for training. At first I thought she’d ask for fancy fencing, and I was ready to be unimpressed. Instead, she, in effect, asked to be taught how to survive when shit happens, and she came back the next day, and the next. And that was an important day, but it was overshadowed when I was asked to lead her team through two countries. We remained away for nearly two years. Being assigned to lead the team to protect the princess – that was at least as great an honor as being accepted to the guard.”
She smil
ed at me. “Today, three years later, everything I’ve ever wanted has been affirmed. Don’t worry, I’m almost done. I wouldn’t be here without the help of a lot of people, beginning with the people who trained me, most especially my first sergeant, Jacobin Jandeen, now long retired. Sergeant Jandeen taught me more than anyone else which end was the pointy end.”
That was more laughter.
“I wouldn’t be in the guard if then captain, now Major Hollsard hadn’t taken a chance on a woman.” She looked around and bowed her head. “Thank you, Major.”
“You have justified my faith, Captain.”
“I want to thank the men and women with whom I have served, only a fraction is here, but the most recent are standing here with me. It has been an honor and a privilege.”
She turned towards the palace. “I want to thank King Leander, for his leadership, and for his guidance in a meeting a half hour ago, where we discussed the implications. He said things to me that I needed to hear, and I thank him for his faith that I can keep his daughter safe from harm.” Then she knelt towards the palace, and she wasn’t the only one. She only held it for a moment, but then she turned to me.
“To Princess Darfelsa, my commanding officer. Thank you for trusting me, for fighting for me, for giving me this honor. But most importantly, thank you for calling me your friend. That means so much to me.” Then she stepped to me and knelt, her head bowed. “Princess Darfelsa!”
“Princess Darfelsa!” echoed the squad.
I lifted her by her shoulders and hugged her. “I love you, Princess,” she whispered.
We released, and she turned. “I need to speak to the squad members individually. We’re going to talk about who wishes to remain with us. I think I already know the answer, but I want to hear it from each of you. By your permission, Princess.”
“See to your duties. I’m not leaving the palace today. Thank you, Captain.”
They roared, and Mariya gathered them up. Ahlianna stepped to my side, and nodded to the major, who took his leave. “And she says she doesn’t know anything about being an officer and gentleman. You told her what to say?”
“Just a prompt. That’s my job, after all.”
“It is,” she agreed. She gestured with her nose. “This was well-done, Sis.”