Free Jabberwocky by Daniel Coleman Page B

soon followed by men shouting and arming themselves. Having barely slept, he was disoriented and couldn’t make out the words through the clamor.
    Extricating himself from his blankets, he stood, shaking sleep from his brain. Dread filled him as he finally understood the soldiers’ cries. “Jabberwocky! To arms!”
    Despite the commotion, Elora still slept. Aker crept toward the tent’s entrance. As he opened the tent flap, pain engulfed his head and the world started spinning. He just had time to worry for Elora before darkness closed in.
     
    *****
     
    Tjaden awoke in agony. The previous day, following the Induction Ceremony, had been the most physically demanding of his life. Surprisingly, work in the orchards didn’t compare with the strenuous Elite training.
    He roused Ollie, who groaned, “I can’t move.”
    The recruits were required to be in the instruction hall at sunrise, and Tjaden wasn’t going to be the first to find out the punishment for arriving late. “Get up,” he urged. “Unless you don’t want to eat before training.”
    With more grunts and whimpers, Ollie swung his legs over the side of his bed. “I swear someone came into our room and beat me like a carpet while I was sleeping. And he didn’t miss anything. Even my eyelids hurt.” He blinked slowly and winced to make his point.
    Tjaden grinned and said, “You and me both. You hit like a girl compared to a group of first day recruits trying to impress the lieutenant.”
    Ollie must have been too sore for banter because he simply said, “From what I heard at dinner you gave your share of bruises too.”
    Tjaden deflected the compliment. “You should’ve seen that kid from T’lai. Chism. Have you seen how precise he is in the mess hall? He fights exactly the same way. Every strike, thrust, and parry is precise. He’s half as strong as the rest of us, but hardly anyone could touch him.”
    “You gotta watch us little guys,” said Ollie. “Skill simply surpasses size.”
    Chism wasn’t the only one to bruise him. Among the recruits, Tjaden’s skills were average at best.
    They dressed, each of them moaning as new sore muscles were discovered, and walked to the mess. Breakfast was buttered oatmeal and orange slices. A few of the recruits were excited at the novelty, but Tjaden and Ollie just chuckled.
    After eating, the recruits made their way as a group to their classroom. Every day started with instruction on history, tactics, geography, or leadership. The room was unadorned and contained a wooden chair for each recruit with three more chairs and a low podium at the front of the classroom.
    By the time Lieutenant Markin entered, they all waited rigidly behind their chairs. Noticing Captain Darieus trailing the lieutenant, every recruit attempted to straighten even further. They never suspected the captain would be instructing them.
    “Sit,” said Lieutenant Markin.
    They rushed to take their seats and Captain Darieus approached the podium, his stare immobilizing them. Tjaden exhaled in anticipation, and it sounded as loud as a whirlwind. Self-conscious of the noise, he held his breath and the silence returned.
    Captain Darieus spoke in an even, restrained voice:
    “A soldier’s life is fraught with peril;
    Viscera, scalp, tendon and bone.
    Targus wizened, lions feral;
    Gryphon in packs or alone.
    Yea, heed my words, for ‘pon the land
    Roam beast and bird, you yet shall find,
    More dang’rous fiends than fellowman
    That feed on humankind.”
    Captain Darieus’ eyes were focused as he scanned the room and his voice gained intensity. In a tone as sincere as death he continued.
    “Beware the Jabberwock, my sons
    With jaws that bite and claws that catch;
    Beware the Jubjub bird and shun
    The frumious bandersnatch.”
    Tjaden felt Captain Darieus was speaking directly to him. Here was a man who had not only seen, but conquered almost every feared entity in the kingdom, whether man or beast. For two decades he had led the