I felt the cool breeze brush against my skin as I walked quickly through a maze of tents propped up around me. I just entered the royal military camp after surrendering my invitation papers to the guards for my new job. Never thought I'd ever enter a military camp, and for a good reason. Rarely is a woman here as a soldier, most are keen to make coin in a safer and more in demand profession. The deeper I went, the more prostitutes I saw walking with their customers. From the faces of other men, I could tell they wanted me and were willing to pay decent coin for my services.
"Hey Missy. You busy right now? I got something that could use a lil' niceee cleanin'," said a shirtless, crooked nosed soldier with a cherry voice. He held up his loose pants and pumped his hips in a smooth lewd motion at me as his friends beside him laughed in unison.
Another soldier in chainmail came up to that man and playfully pushed him aside. He had a confident, smug look that overshadowed the shirtless man. "Nah, ignore him. You're probably tired from your previous late-night shift. How about a rest in my warm bed?" He held up an inviting hand towards the tent behind him. It was like all the other tents in the camp; tanned, a little dirty, and probably smells of filth if I were to take his invitation. His friends jeered once again and whistled loudly, cheering him on and pressuring me to take his offer.
I rolled my eyes and scoffed at their jeering remarks as if I was another prostitute. To be honest, I felt chills roll down my spine with a sense of uneasiness in the company of rowdy, horny men and what they might do to me if angered enough. Not only for them but also the pockets of beastmen soldiers who took notice and kept their hungry gaze on me. Their predator-like demeanor of warm, alluring prey walking in front of them was unsettling. It took a bit of courage to not turn back and show how uncomfortable I really was, else they pounce on me and take me by force.
Eventually, the tents around me grew into a circular shape, towering above me to the size of a small house. They were massive enough for me to imagine an armored giant slumbering inside, prepared for war. An ugly, disfigured creature draped in chainmail with a tree for a club. Sad to say, my fantasy crumbled with the presence of heavily armed centaurs that populated this side of the camp. Soldiers armed to the teeth littered the area, both young and old, ready and waiting for their next battle. But not everyone here is meant for battle.
I scan the dozens of tents before me, each and every one of them unfamiliar from the description I was told. A sense of panic continued to grow and grow to the point I had to stop and take a breath to calm myself. "You're already late Bria. It doesn't make sense to lose yourself more and miss more than half a day's work running around like a maniac," I said to myself, a little sweaty and short of breath.
It's my first day of becoming a centaur's aide for the Reaver Free Company, a well renowned centaur mercenary group known for their skills and ferocity. Their reputation had spread from their homes of The Great Northern Plains to the battlefields around it and afar. The kingdom of Louvier, where I currently live, recognized their valuable attributes enough to become one of their valued clients. And I am running late for work for such a prestigious group.
I wiped the sweat off my brow and looked around, still no sign of the tent I'm looking for. Whirling my head, I finally spotted a pair of aides in their modest olive kirtle as their uniform. Pinned over their breasts is a small bronze brooch of a woman riding on the side of a fully armored centaur. A wave of relief washed over me and waved my hand for their attention.
"Hello? I'm new and currently lost in the camp. Do you know which tent the centaur aides assemble at?" I desperately asked.
They both looked at me understandably and answered, "Yes, it's that way," pointing the direction behind them on the right. "It's the tent with this insignia. If you're not sure, there should be plenty of other aides nearby," they said as they pointed to the brooch they wore.
"Ah, thanks!!! Got to go now!" I raced past them, greatly relieved with their help.
I spotted a few more aides around me walking in and out of tents with buckets full of laundry and water. I thought about asking to confirm what they said, but that was no longer needed as soon I stepped into view of the tent I was looking for. It was massive and had the same symbol of the brooch on the walls. Passing through the entrance, I found myself surrounded by more aides and lots of clothing, cooking, and cleaning equipment organized around the tent.
"Well about time you've arrived," said a familiar voice behind me. I turned around to see a tall blond woman in a more elaborate uniform. It was the head aide who I begged to hire me the night before. "I suppose you've got a good excuse for your tardiness. Unless you're here to reconsider my offering."
"I apologize for being late Annette! My former boss was very upset with me quitting and I had to make a few concessions beforehand," I answered with a shaky voice. I pray to the gods she isn't too angry with me and send me off unemployed to the wolves. Until today, I was just a barmaid at one of the local taverns at the town of Red Rock near the camp. A strange name to be sure, but that's what the soldiers decided when they captured an outpost before it became a town.
I've spent many years there, serving and pleasing customers at the tavern. I wasn't "pleasing" them THAT way of course, I'm not a whore. But I did wear enough to expose some skin to draw their attention. It wasn't easy at first, but I got used to their drunken words and slippery hands. Now twenty-four years old, and after years of listening to endless stories from afar, I longed to travel and see new places and excitement. I found the opportunity when the royal army camped nearby with the Reaver Free Company attending. I'd heard stories about them and much more from the many soldiers in the royal army as my customers. Eventually Annette and a few other aides with their guards turned up in my tavern for a quick drink.
What caught my eye about this group was the unique brooch on their uniform, that same enchanting woman on the back of an armored centaur. Inquiring about the brooch and themselves, I learned who the centaur's side were and what they do. A group consisting entirely of women in the service of centaur mercenary companies in non-combative roles. They are personal attendants, cooks, and even help with managing the company's supplies.
She eyed me carefully, calculating if I spoke the truth or not. I felt my face heating up nervously and uncertainty as she glared at me. She probably thinks I'm a spy for the enemy. If so, then I could be subjected to interrogation by torture and mutilation! I stood firm to what I said and soon enough she shook her head and dismissed it. "Alright then, I expect better attendance from you from now on. Irene!"
A long-haired brunette across the room turned her head and immediately rushed to her. "Yes ma'am?"
"Our newcomer, Bria, is here to replace one of our retired aides," Annette waved her hand to me. "Please show her around and introduce her to some of the others. Afterwards, guide her to some of the tasks here for the rest of the day."
"Yes ma'am. Welcome to the Reaver's Free Company Bria!" She greeted me with much enthusiasm. "Some of the troops should be returning soon so hurry along!" Irene went back to grab a couple pots and pans and handed them to me.
"Are we cooking for the soldiers?" I asked.
"Just a little detour to drop them off and then we'll join later to help," she said as she gathered another stack of bowls.
---
I spent the rest of the afternoon showing the different tents and other aides. Most welcomed me and gave advice on what's to come while a few were simply either too busy or uninterested. To be honest, I'm a bit nervous being in such a new role working among aides, some men, demihumans, and tall, towering centaurs. Despite not being my first time meeting them, I found them quite intimidating, especially in armor. Yet their form and physique of a human/horse mix is quite fascinating.
