the Rock

Just another summer day of this exhausting civil war. Those rogue generals that are offending the Royal family are proving to be a tough nut to crack. It has been a stale-mate for six months now.

Tower lookouts were on duty, sweating under a layer of armor. Poor bastards. Most of the garrison was lazily laying in the shadows of walls, completely inconsiderate to their comrades hardships.
With the troops was their commander, a young lad named Jaspen dan Cloyt. His skin was pale, his figure slim, and his blue eyes perfectly complimented his short blonde hair. All in all, a perfect example how a young blue-blood should look like. He had no battle experience, but was of noble birth, and like all noblemen, he too had been given an officer position.

His father is a navy commander, a true sea wolf, admiral Farran dan Cloyt. He wanted to keep his son safe so he put him in charge of the Rock.

The Rock - safest post in the kingdom. Deep inside the kingdoms territory, it was surrounded by sea on 3 sides. And it is common knowledge that admiral Farran dan Cloyt is the apsolute ruler of the seas, so no threat can come from the sea.
Besides the fact it was easy to defend, the Rock had big thick walls, and an experienced garrison.

Young Jaspen knew all this, he was smart and a realistic young man. He knew his troops know more about warfare than him, so the fortress was actually being self-governed by the troops themselves. Jaspen's main and only consideration was to get through the day. He knew he had to have at least 5 years of military experience to be even considered as a legitimate candidate for the member of the kingdom's Golden Council, his true ambition. Year and a half has passed since he was given command of this fortress. He still has a long way to go, three and a half more years in this boring hellhole.

Since he was given this post he grew claustrophobic. He sensed that those big walls were getting closer and closer each day. Walls served equally to keep enemies out, and also to keep him inside, and also to remind him each day that he is the prisoner of this fortress next three and a half years.

"A carriage is approaching" - shouted one of the watchers up from the tower.

"Open the gates, immediately" - shouted Jasper, sitting halfnaked underneath the western wall. Being a commanding officer of an important fortress has its priviliges. That is probably Rowena, a local proffesional girl, although he expected her later this evening, but it is a good thing she arrived earlier. He was already bored out of his mind. Four fully armed soldiers opened the gates to let the carriage inside the walls. Jaspen sensed something was off with this picture, he wasn't used to see his soldiers fully armed, he never demanded it from them. Actually he never demanded much of them at all.
"They are probably doing some training" he thought. He didn't want to waste his energy trying to figure it out, besides he had more important bussines now.

Rowena got out of the carriage, not paying attention to any of the surronding soldiers, and she went straight to the young commander. He bowed slightly and kissed her hand, like he was taught. He is doing this not to compliment her, the lady of the night, but he is doing this to show everyone that his schooling was impeccable.

Soon, they went to his private quarters. She wasn't the prettiest girl he ever saw, but she was quite experienced, and quite innovative. Every time something new. For some time now, he was curious, how many tricks does she have up her sleeves.

Their bodies intertwined, creating a single unit. It was like a rhytmic dance, with sounds of pleasure giving the beat.

Their bodies were hastily separated when Jasper heard sounds of violence coming from the fortress courtyard. Naked, without thinking he rushed to the door and opened. The scene was unreal. He stood frozen in the doorway trying to figure out why his men are fighting each other to the death.

Jasper was many things, but not stupid. His body was frozen but not his mind. It took him but a few moments to realize what happened.

His troops were experienced, too experienced. They fought in many battles with rogue generals, some connections must still exist. And he was a poor commander. He had never showed even a hint that he cared about his men. He never gave them reason to be loyal to him.
The Rock is an impenetrable fortress, and can not be taken from outside, seasoned generals knew that. That is why they never tried to seize it by force, but that doesn't mean that they have forgotten about it.
He was surprised that there were even some troops who fight for him. They probably don't fight for him, they probably fight for the Kingdom and its representatives, loyal soldiers to the end - remarkable.

Still naked in the doorway, he sensed a sharp pain in his back. It is a knife, no mistake about it.
Jasper didn't turn around, there was no point, he knew there was no way of evading the inevitable. Actually he smiled a little, because he felt proud about himself. The conspirators actually considered him a threat. They acted only when he was separated from the troops. Maybe they really thought he has potential to be a leader.

"This is the biggest compliment you could have given me"

Another brief sharp pain in the neck, and the Rock fell with its commander.

---

This short story was inspired by the fortress from the first picture which is located in Dubrovnik, Croatia

---

Image source:
http://dubrovnikdigest.com/stari-grad/tvrdave

http://godhatesgeeks.com/for-honor-face-off-review-feel-the-vibrations/

---