The Laughter of a Doctor

As the realization of the morning's torment sank in, both men exchanged weary glances—a silent acknowledgment of the consequences of their indulgence. They found themselves grappling with the physical and emotional aftermath of their reckless night, their bodies bearing the weight of their momentary escape. Their bodies now shouted at them for not taking care of themselves. Each muscle refused to serve under them as they tried to regain control. Every muscle was sore, and their heads were buzzing with the aftermath of their choice.

With a collective sigh, they slowly rose from their makeshift beds, their movements sluggish and heavy with the burden of their suffering. The war camp, bustling with activity and purpose, became an unwelcome reminder of their responsibilities and the battles that awaited them. Every sound seemed to disorient their brains—the loud laughter, every footstep, and every cough felt bright and harsh against their aching senses.

As they navigated through the camp, their footsteps faltered, and their eyes shielded from the blinding sunlight. Each ray from the beautiful, bright, and colorful sunrise seemed to target them, just to torture them. Adam and Maximilian couldn't acknowledge the beautiful sunrise, only feeling tormented by it. The once-familiar faces of their comrades seemed blurry, their vibrant fellowship muted by the persistent throb in their heads. Every step felt weak, and their knees were shoddy, shaking.

Adam and Maximilian, each nursing their own regrets, shared a silent understanding. They pledged to derive lessons from their night of revelry, to seek solace in the strength of their bond, and to bear the weight of their mistakes with humility and resilience. The morning had stirred them to the repercussions of their actions, reminding them that even amid the chaos of war, one must stay vigilant and mindful of one's internal struggles. As they contemplated the cause of their severe hangover, whether it was the ale or the exhaustion over the last days, both men wondered about the choices they had made.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting its warm embrace upon the war camp, Adam and Maximilian pressed forward, also getting involved in its warm hug. Their slumber-induced haze began to dissipate, replaced by a resolute spirit that refused to be defeated by the fleeting pleasures of the night. Despite the ongoing torment from their drinking habits, their bodies slowly began to process the ale and filter it out of their bloodstream.

Finally arriving at their destination, the medical tent, Adam and Maximillian collapsed onto stools, their bodies weary and minds still reeling from the lingering effects of their night of drinking. As they sat there, seeking respite from their throbbing headaches, the sound of boisterous laughter reached their ears, exacerbating their discomfort.

The laughter grew louder, piercing through the air like a needle, causing both men to wince in pain. They clutched their ears, hoping to shield themselves from the jarring sound. Moments later, a figure emerged from the shadows, the source of the raucous laughter. It was the doctor, his face beaming with amusement.

With a mischievous twinkle in his eye, the doctor approached Adam and Maximillian, barely able to contain his mirth. "Ah, too much ale, I presume?" he exclaimed, his laughter trailing off into a chuckle. His jovial demeanor contrasted sharply with the discomfort etched on the faces of the two men.

"It's understandable that you both have a hangover; our lord did spend quite a penny on the ale," the doctor said with a full heart, a bright and shining grin on his face. "Even though it's little, it hits like a carriage. And if I look at you guys," he takes a look at Maximilian's and Adam's faces and continues, "Yeah yeah, you idiots drank the entire bottle, I guess." And once again, he began laughing loudly.

The doctor, fully aware of their condition, reached into a nearby cabinet and retrieved two small vials. He handed them to Adam and Maximillian, their contents resembling a peculiar mixture of soup and medicine. "Drink this," he instructed, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. "Consider it a remedy for your self-inflicted misery and idiocy."

With cautious hesitation, Adam and Maximilian raised the greenish-blue vials to their lips and swallowed the concoction. Its taste was bitter, lumpy, spicy, and left an indescribably unpleasant aftertaste lingering in their mouths. They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging their shared discomfort, before both men looked at the doctor with questioning gazes, both wanting to ask him what kind of potion they had just consumed.

After a few seconds, both men almost puked, leaning down their heads and nearly throwing up. But then the doctor yelled at them, "You idiots, medicine needs to taste like shit, else it won't work. So keep it inside your stomachs if you want to better yourself. And yeah, I understand why you feel this way, and trust me, if you knew what you just drank, you would throw up in the entire tent."

"Now, my friends," the doctor declared, a mischievous grin spreading across his face, "no more ale for today. Rest and recover, for tomorrow you may once again partake in the joyous spirits of ale." His laughter echoed through the tent, mingling with the lingering groans of the patients and wounded soldiers.

Adam and Maximillian, wearied by their night of excess, could only manage weak smiles in response to the doctor's proclamation. They understood the necessity of moderation and the consequences of their previous indulgence.

Just then, a shout came from behind the doctor, asking for something against the pain, and the doctor replied coldly with an expressionless face, "You aren't able to fight nor hold a weapon, you are not my priority. Unlike those two who can fight, you are useless for us right now. So hang in there, I'm coming." Then he turned his head around to Adam and Maximilian again, "You both can now go, I can't do more for you. And, as you see, I have quite a handful to do to get them to the state again where they can stand and hold a weapon. Even cannon fodder is important."

After taking the medicine the doctor gave them, Adam and Maximilian felt a miraculous transformation as they made their way out of the tent. Their hangover symptoms vanished as if they were never there, leaving them with newfound energy and vigor. The sun now wasn't any device of torture, no, it felt good on the skin, and the yellowish light it gave was beautiful. Grateful for the relief, they bid each other farewell and went their separate ways. Adam, still under the command of Elara, made his way to her tent with hope in of meeting her there.

As he approached the entrance, Adam straightened his posture, ready to present himself to his commander. He saluted with precision, announcing, "Recruit Adam, ready for orders." The anticipation hung in the air as he waited, and it felt like an eternity until Elara finally opened the tent.

Elara's face bore no visible signs of yesterday's encounter, but inside, she was grappling with a sense of unease for the events that transpired. She couldn't help but think that she may have inadvertently contributed to the situation by granting Adam the free day that led to their night of drinking and visiting his tent out of the blue. Nevertheless, she chose not to dwell on the past, on events that Adam could not really control, granting him a chance to prove himself once more. To show her that he was not just a pawn to be thrown away but rather a piece worth promoting into something better.

Gesturing for him to enter, she decided to see what he was truly capable of. He walked in, the weight of her expectations palpable in the air. Despite her internal conflict, Elara remained composed, resolute in her role as a commander as she stood before her desk gracefully, her silver hair tied into a bun as she placed her hands on her desk in front of her.

For Elara, Adam was a valuable pawn on the battlefield of her ambitions. She recognized the potential within him, both as a skilled warrior and a resourceful ally. While she felt partly responsible for the previous night's events, she also understood that harnessing his strengths could serve her objectives, her true ambitions.

With a glint of determination in her eyes, Elara began to issue new orders to Adam, her voice firm yet measured. "Recruit Adam, we have important tasks ahead. You will be on a reconnaissance mission to gather intel on enemy troop movements. Your skills may prove vital to our success." As she spoke, a subtle sense of trust and opportunity lingered beneath her words, acknowledging that Adam's actions could shape their future endeavors.

And so, Elara instructed Adam to step closer to the table adorned with a map of the surrounding region. With a sense of purpose, she pointed out potential sites where the lord could be camping, waiting for reinforcements. As she finished, she gracefully settled into her seat, her gaze meeting Adam's. Her mind wavered, momentarily lost in the memory of their shared kiss, but she quickly composed herself, not wanting to show any vulnerability before her subordinate. And as Adam looked at Elara, he felt lost in her bluish eyes.

"I have a plan to launch a preemptive strike against Ser Ostfried Zangenberg before the lord's arrival, so that we don't have to contend with enemies on two fronts simultaneously. What's your opinion on that?" Elara inquired, her thoughts firmly focused on the strategy at hand.

"It's a sound plan, my Commander," Adam replied, genuine admiration in his voice. "But I do have a question. Don't you have allies you could call upon for aid?"

Elara's expression softened, a touch of melancholy tinging her response. "I do, Adam, but you know how it goes when you ask for someone's help. Owing favors can be a burden, and I prefer to have favors to offer rather than be indebted to others. Plus we would have to wait for those allies, and if you look at our situation, you should notice that time is not on our side. Time plays against us,"

Adam understood her sentiment, his heart reaching out to her. He tried to change the topic, not wishing to delve too deeply into her political affairs as he is still just a soldier. "Who are the men accompanying me on this mission?"

"You'll go alone with Maximillian," Elara declared, a hint of confidence in her decision. "You both trust each other, and I believe you'll make a formidable team. Depart within the next hour and ride southward. The enemy was last seen near the village of Silverbrook. I trust you, Adam."

With her instructions delivered, Elara got up from her seat, approaching Adam with a tender touch to his cheek. Though he perceived her actions as mere manipulation, he couldn't help but feel a flutter of emotion. His feelings remained tangled and unspoken, unaware of the true depths of yesterday's events.

As Elara withdrew from the scene, Adam stood there, the weight of his duties and emotions vying for attention. Resolute in his loyalty to his Commander, he prepared himself for the mission ahead, a sense of responsibility in every step. The path before him was uncertain, but he trusted in his abilities and the short bond he shared with Maximillian.

And so, Adam quietly slipped out of the tent and proceeded towards the training ground. This time, he found Maximillian resting and sitting, seemingly lost in thought. With careful steps, Adam approached from behind and whispered into Maximillian's ear, "Maximillian, get up. We have something to attend to."

Confused but trusting in Adam's judgment, Maximillian stood up, and both of them made their way back to their shared tent. As Adam started packing a backpack with essential supplies, Maximillian couldn't help but inquire, "What's the mission we're embarking on?"

"Elara sent us on a reconnaissance mission," Adam replied matter-of-factly, . not divulging too many details just yetMaximillian promptly began packing his own backpack. "Is it just the two of us?" he asked, seeking further clarity.

"Yes, just the two of us," Adam confirmed, nodding in agreement. "We need to report back to Elara before we depart," he added, emphasizing the importance of keeping their Commander informed.

With their belongings prepared, they headed back to Elara's tent, ready to deliver their report and receive any final instructions. The anticipation of the mission ahead stirred both excitement and trepidation within them. They knew that the path they were about to tread was laden with uncertainty, but their unwavering trust in each other and their Commander propelled them forward.

As they approached Elara's tent, Adam and Maximillian steeled themselves, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the name of duty and honor. Their bond as friends and brothers-in-arms grew stronger with each step they took, forging a resilience that would serve them well in the trials that awaited them on their reconnaissance mission.