2 Chapter 2: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THAT?

Lothar look's towards Caspar with renewed intrigue, "What is your name, soldier?". Caspar smiles and gives an overexaggerated bow, "This lowly one, your highness, is sergeant Caspar Hahn of the 23rd infantry, advanced reconnaissance and sharpshooter division." Carsten, the advisor, chimes in angrily, "How dare you speak to his highness with that tone and attitude?"

Lothar cuts in feeling amused, "Now, now, Carsten. No need to get angry on our legendary ghost of no man's land."

"Ghost?" asks the confused Carsten.

Lothar returns his sight to Caspar's amused grin. "The legendary ghost of no man's land. The dead man of fort Antlecht. I did not imagine that after that disaster at Antlecht, you would be assigned to the 23rd."

Caspar's smile drops, and he lowers his head at the mention of Fort Antlecht. "After that hell in Antecht, most of the battalion was either dead or out of action, the battalion had to be disbanded, and whatever troops managed to survive, were reassigned to other units."

Caspar raises his head, showing a determined face as he continues, "I did not want to leave the northeastern front, I want to face the bastards that did that and kill them myself. So, I chose to be assigned to the 23rd infantry division."

Lothar nods at Caspar's now stern countenance and responds, "Your determination, I have received it. But enough about the past, right now we have to worry about the present." Lothar turns to Carsten and orders, "Now that we have captured the hill, we should send word to colonel Fritz that our plans have changed. We are going to initiate an attack on the Bropiden trench from our current position, then 23rd will use the confusion and go in an all-out attack on the trench. we will have captured their position by tomorrow's sunrise."

Caspar salutes Lothar and replies, "Yes, your highness, colonel Fritz will receive the message." Lothar looks at Caspar with an amused smile, "And where do you think you are going, sergeant?"

"Delivering the message, sir...?" replies Caspar.

"You just marched through the enemy-controlled territory and fought a hard-won battle. And now you want to march back to the 23rd then participate in another possibly more intense battle?. No matter how legendary you are, sergeant, you are still human."

Caspar attempts to interrupt, "But your high...", "No buts sergeant, I need you to be in top condition for our next attack, and for that effect, I order you to stay here and rest, someone else will deliver the message."

"Yes, your highness." Answers Caspar in a defeated tone that amuses Lothar. "Don't feel down, Hahn, you will see battle, I guarantee it."

"Have you eaten yet, Hahn, we have apparently captured many Oskiuumen supplies, although those bastards are rotten at almost everything, one thing they perfected is their food. Have you ever had Oskiuumen food, Hahn?"

"No, your highness!" replies Caspar in anticipation. 'If even a prince is praising the food, then it must be good.' Caspar thinks to himself. the still smiling Lothar turns to Carsten and orders, "tell the supplymen to use the Oskiuumen ingredients and cook a feast for the men, after such a battle, they deserve it." The men cheer at the prospect of having good food while Carsten replies, "Your highness, are you truly sharing a table with that rude man?" glaring at Caspar.

"Don't I usually eat all of my meals with the men?" asks Lothar. Carsten attempts to cut in, "but...". Lothar ignores him and continues, "I also feel that he would make quite an interesting company." Thinking about what chain of events managed to create this surprising and contradictory man. Carsten, noticing the interest hidden deep within Lothar's Hazel eyes, sighs in defeat, "Ahh..., as you command your highness."

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Under the prince's orders, food is swiftly prepared and served to the seated men. On a particular table sat three men deep in thought. Carsten, trying to figure out what his prince finds fascinating about that man. Lothar, trying to understand more about Caspar from his actions. Caspar is wondering what the delicious food tastes, while occasionally stealing glances of the handsome prince and thinking to himself "How can God be so unfair, to create a man so perfect, a man that has immense power, by all accounts is an unparalleled genius and also giving him a perfect face."

Lothar noticing the glances he is receiving, believing that Caspar is only waiting for him to start eating first on account of his rank. Lothar picks up a spoonful of food and says, "Dig in, but be careful not to choke."

Caspar, noticing that Lothar and Carsten have started eating, cautiously picks up a portion of food and starts to eat.

Lothar, who is enjoying his food from across the table, suddenly notices as Caspar's face turns into a deep shade of red, and sweat is starting to build up upon his brows. Lothar, frightened by the sudden change, asks in a hurry, "Caspar, are you alright? Are you choking?". Caspar slowly raises his red agonized face and his blurry and teary eyes. Lothar is sunned by such a display and thinks to himself, "How can the MAN who usually acts like a God of War make such an adorable expression." Caspar continues with a soft, choked up voice, "s.. , spicy."

The stunned and captivated Lothar pushes his water to Caspar as he laughs, "Ha Ha Ha, you are telling me that the legendary ghost can't handle THAT?" Caspar vigorously shakes his head from side to side to the amusement of Lothar, then proceeds to down the entire cup in seconds. Lothar keeps staring at the red-faced and bleary-eyed Caspar and asks, "Better?", Casper replies, still in a soft voice, "A little bit."

Lothar proceeds to push some other dishes towards Caspar's side and says, "You should eat these, they are not spicy, avoid the others." Caspar shallowly nods as Lothar continues, "But I am really curious now, how does a man like you end up finding themselves in the army?"

Caspar looks at Lothar, looking a fraction bit sadder as he replies, "My father wanted me to."

Lothar ignoring the change in Caspar, continues, "That's not all of it though, is it? A man does not simply throw himself into battle like that just because his father asked him to."

Caspar sits there for a couple of seconds, trying to formulate a response before answering, "Back in Herzen, I searched everywhere, but in the end, I couldn't find myself." Caspar looks at Lothar and Carsten, who both are stunned, not expecting such a response. He then continues, "So I thought, maybe if I change the scenery, the setting; if I changed my life, I could find an answer."

Lothar, whose eyes are now burning with more curiosity about the man in front of him, replies, "I was expecting an answer more along the lines of glory, honor, or defending my family. But I truly do wish you all the best in finding your answers."

Carsten, whose opinion of Caspar slightly improved, nods in agreement.

Caspar returns a bewitching smile that farther drags Lothar into his world and replies, "Thank you."