15 THINGS TO MAKE A SOLDIER MISERABLE
FIFTEEN THINGS TO MAKE A SOLDIER MISERABLE, by Aidan Redwing, artwork by Miguel Santos
- A shortage of pipe weed.
- Rotating to the frontline.
- Being informed by your commanding officer that you will not
receive relief.
- A long march over rugged terrain to a secure position.
- Arriving only to find the position occupied.
- Getting caught in enemy fire.
- Tripping over a loose stone and nearly being trampled
underfoot by your panicked squad.
- The scream of your commander as a crossbow bolt tears through
his thigh.
- Carrying the extra weight of an unconscious body.
- Returning to base alone, the members of your squad lying dead in the dust.
- Entering the medical ward and discovering your commander’s wound
is infected.
- Being informed by the attending nurse that the leg must be amputated.
- Receiving news that your commander has died due to post surgical
complications.
- Receiving a ration of pipe weed from a comrade finding you
seated on an upturned bucket with tears in your eyes.
- Digging through your pocket to find your pipe broken.
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Aidan can be found telling stories of elves, pirates and other fantastical beings to any who would lend an ear. Aidan’s published works include The Problem With Pack Goats (Wyngraf), the New Moon Gambit (Gwyllion) and other forthcoming titles. If you wish to reach this odd being you can send a raven to a.redwing.writing@gmail.com, tweet them @a_redwing or find them on facebook; https//:www.facebook.com/aidan.redwing.5
Miguel Santos is a freelance illustrator and maker of Comics living in Portugal. His artwork has appeared in numerous issues of Heroic Fantasy Quarterly, as well as in the Heroic Fantasy Quarterly Best-of Volume 2. More of his work can be seen at his online portfolio and his instagram.
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