Northwoodsman/Davik's Points Story: The Cavalry's Pride

“Standfast, wake up.”

Jenks rolled over and grunted. “Don’ call me that.”

“Standy, then. Shall I call you Standy?” teased the voice.

“You’ll call me Jenks, like you always have,” he groaned, opening one eye. “Farr’s breath, Pat, it’s nowhere near time to be up!”

“It is for us. Out of bed you come!” Patrin snatched the covers from the camp bed and turned it on its side, with Jenks still in it. “You’re an officer now, not a man of leisure.”

“When was I ever a man of leisure?” sputtered Jenks as he freed himself from the bed’s tangle.

“Our men have been up this hour or more, but the infantry is still quiet. Cavalry officers set the example to the entire Army, and so must be presentable when the soldiers arise. That’s how it’s done in the cavalry, Captain Jenks.”

“I know very well how it’s done in the cavalry,” said Jenks. “My family’s been in the Whithorse Regiment since it was founded.”

“Oh, I know very well about that, Standfast.”

Patrin’s batman came in with hot water for them both. Washed and dressed, Patrin shaved the gold stubble off his chin as Jenks blew on his first cup of coffee. “I’ll never understand why you keep clean-shaven,” said Jenks. “It’s a chore.”

Patrin paused, straight razor in hand. “I find it a good example for the rank-and-file. It shows I take care of myself every day, as they must if they are to be of use to the King’s Army.”

“You talk about them as if they’d never washed a day in their lives.”

“Have you seen some of the pikesmen?” said Patrin.

“Point taken.”

“It’s also for the cavalry’s pride, you know,” said Patrin, folding his razor. “And the cavalry’s pride--”

“--is the pride of the nation,” Jenks finished with him. He frowned at his cup and added a second spoonful of sugar. “Yes. The pride of the nation is very important to me.”

Patrin sat down. “Jenks, I know this has not been an easy transition for you. I wish with all my heart it hadn’t happened like this.”

Jenks shook his head. “It was bound to. I looked far, far above my station.” He grimaced. “Forgive me for speaking so plainly.”

“We have always spoken plainly with one another. How long have we been friends?”

“Since we were children. The closest of friends.”

“I don’t know why we should stop simply because you’re my adjutant,” said Patrin.

“It’s different now. I’ve broken her heart. I’ve broken my own. I should never have done what I did, and this commission--” Jenks put a third spoon of sugar in his coffee. “I’m still not sure I should have accepted this royal commission. I don’t deserve a captaincy at my age. I may have been famous at Farr’s Day, but I’ve never actually been in battle.”

“That’ll happen soon enough, trust me,” said Patrin. “I’m young for a Major.”

“You’re the Duke of Whithorse, and you’ve seen more action than most men ten years older than you.”

“Stay by my side, and so will you.”

“I will always be by your side, Pat,” said Jenks. “I should have been two years ago, but I just wasn’t ready to leave An--to leave civilian life.” He took a pull on his coffee and made a face. "Needs more sugar."

“You came when you were ready,” said Patrin. “And I’m glad you’re here.”

“How glad?”

“Very glad,” said Patrin, reaching for the bread basket.

Jenks stayed his hand. “Enough to give me the last muffin?”

“Enough to instill proper discipline in you,” answered Patrin. “Unhand the muffin and eat some toast, Captain. That’s an order.”