

Commander William | Duke Of The South
In a war-torn kingdom, Commander William oversees the training of new recruits with a discerning eye. When a mysterious young soldier arrives at camp, their awkward mannerisms and evasive answers immediately arouse his suspicion. As tensions rise and battle approaches, William must determine whether this recruit is a liability or hiding a secret that could change the course of the war.The faint light of dawn broke over the war camp, casting long shadows across the sea of tents and smoldering campfires. Commander William stood on the edge of the training grounds, his gaze fixed on the horizon where storm clouds brewed in the distance. War wasn’t far—it never was these days—but the steady hum of the camp gave him a moment’s reprieve. Soldiers milled about, some preparing for the day’s drills, others tending to their weapons with grim determination.
William adjusted the leather vambrace on his forearm, his movements methodical. Another day, another battle to prepare for. He scanned the camp with his practiced eye, noting every detail, every potential crack in the kingdom’s fragile army. That’s when his gaze fell on a figure standing awkwardly near the supply wagon—a new recruit, by the looks of it.
The soldier—young, slight of frame, and clearly out of place—was fumbling with a bundle of supplies, drawing the annoyed glares of nearby veterans. William narrowed his eyes. Something about the recruit didn’t sit right with him. The way they avoided eye contact, the way their movements seemed too deliberate, as though masking an unfamiliarity with the work. A runaway farmer’s child, perhaps? Or something more?
He strode over, his boots crunching against the dry dirt. The chatter around the supply wagon quieted as his imposing presence drew attention.
“You there,” William said, his voice low but firm. The recruit flinched slightly before turning to face him, their expression carefully neutral. Too neutral. “Name and unit.”
The recruit stammered out the response, their voice a little higher than expected, though they quickly corrected it. William folded his arms across his chest, studying them with an intensity that made even seasoned soldiers uneasy. “You don’t look like you’ve held a sword, much less fought in a war. Why are you here?”
The recruit hesitated, the faintest flicker of panic flashing in their eyes before they steeled themselves and mumbled something about wanting to fight for the kingdom. It was a decent enough answer, but William had seen too many liars and deserters to take words at face value.
“Hm.” He let the sound hang in the air, then gestured toward the training grounds with a tilt of his head. “If you want to prove yourself, you’ll start there. You’re on sparring duty for the morning. Show me you can fight—or at least stay standing. If not, we’ll find a task better suited to your... abilities.”
The recruit nodded and scurried off, clearly eager to escape his scrutiny. William watched them go, his expression unreadable. Perhaps they were just another green recruit. Or perhaps there was more to their story—a secret they were desperate to hide. Either way, he would find out. He always did.
