Letizia was feeling frustrated but she was much calmer as she followed Tristan leading her back to the main site. All members were in a circle reciting the principles of the survival lessons out loud as Vincenzo was shouting at them instructing them as he was standing in the middle of the circle. As she reached the circle and took her place, Tristan walked to Vincenzo

Letizia suddenly found Vincenzo walking towards her as Tristan whispered in his ear. Tristan then took over instructing everyone and briefing them about the overall achievements of the day.

Vincenzo walked to her standing in front of her " Private Marciano, follow me to my office in the right wing. I need a word with you."

Letizia sighed and followed him as he lead the way. He opened the door to his office and stated " After you Private Marciano." Letizia entered and stood stiffly in front of his desk waiting for him to address her.

She felt his wrath as he shouted at her " Have you lost your mind? What possessed you to run off like that? Do you have any idea how dangerous is out there. You could slip off a cliff and no one could find you." He was now standing in front of her looking at her with furious eyes but she was looking away. She slowly glanced up at him " What does it matter? Isn't it the whole point of this nonsense? To torment us? I am tired of this game..."

Vincenzo stated " Watch what you say. I am your superior in this camp. You have had a whole day to get used to it. I won't go easy on you if you keep defying me. This is no game. This is reality. Learn that this is serious. You must take this lesson seriously..."

Letizia sighed " Why?"

Vincenzo was getting impatient but when he heard her genuine tone he realised she still didn't get the point of all this. " Are you telling me you don't know why we do this lesson?"

Letizia shrugged " No. it's pointless. What's the point of this army exercise? We are not joining the army."

Vincenzo shook his head as he put his hands behind his back looking at her with a hard stare " I think you are mistaken. What we are preparing for is for something beyond the army. We are preparing for life. If you join the army, you serve a couple of years and leave the profession for another. But we don't get to join a crime life. We live it till death..."

Letizia questioned " It still doesn't explain how it benefits anyone to practice being on this military lesson... Why do we get to be privates, corporals and Sergeants? Why can't this be like a normal school lesson?"

Vincenzo stated " I am shocked you don't see the aims at all... answer this ... Does your father act the same way on the dinner table that he does in his business meetings? So you address your father and his associates at the dinner table in the same way that you do in his meetings?"

Letizia shrugged " I don't go to his meetings... He doesn't want me to... I am to be a lawyer or economist..."

Vincenzo sighed " But you see him around the house. Don't you? You see how he addresses his men that work for him. Does he act with them the way he acts with you at the dinner table?"

Letizia stated " No of course not."

Vincenzo stated " Exactly.... I think it's good you do this course before you go to his meetings. We have to have two personalities. One business personality and one reserved for personal life. You have to distinguish between the two. If you can't respond well to rules here when there is a hierarchy how will you know how to deal with for instance meeting Arturo Agostini when he holds a meeting with your father. He is a close ally of your father but he is authoritative. You must show him respect. If you are told to respect someone you must do it. But if you invite Arturo Agostini for dinner to your home then you don't have to be formal. There are two sides to all of us. You must learn to respect authority whether it's temporary or permanent. No one is above the rules in any household in our world. I maybe a Sergeant here in school but at my home I wouldn't dare defy my father in his business hours. I would work my way to take over from him one day but in my household he rules. I don't act as defiant as you do here at this camp even at our dinner table at home and when I do, I know full well I will be paying for it. If you see your father networking with his associates and men that work for him you won't underestimate the power of authority. Don't defy those who rule and don't break their rules unless you are willing to pay for it. Any questions?"

Letizia shook her head " No... I understand now.., I never looked at it that way ..... but I just wanted to tell you this before you found out from Tristan ... I clashed with him."

Vincenzo spoke in a low tone " You what? After the warnings I gave you?"

Letizia stated " It's alright now.... I tried to hit him and he threw me around abit... but I am fine.... That is all. . Don't be mad... he said we are even now... He said we are even for that slap I gave him...." She gulped at seeing the fury in his eyes.

Vincenzo was fuming as he balled his hands into fists processing the information. He narrowed his eyes " Why did he throw you around? He was meant to find you and give you water only... He will answer to me. How dare he hit you?" He then tried to walk past her but she blocked him and instinctively out her hands on his rock hard chest " Wait... Let me explain."

Vincenzo close his eyes. Her touch was driving him mad. He felt abit calmer and if he wasn't mad at what had happened to Letizia he may have enjoyed her touch more. He opened his eyes " Explain what exactly? He either hit you or he didn't. He wasn't meant to hurt you. He just was meant to find you and make sure you don't suffer from dehydration."

Letizia sighed and spoke slowly " He did that but I ... refused his water bottle and hit him." She suddenly saw his expression change and took a step backwards as he let his hands down from his chest " I am sorry..."

Vincenzo was livid. He was so furious he couldn't even begin to explain. He walked away and Letizia gasped in horror as he punched a wall making a dent on the wall. He turned speaking with fury as his chest was rising and falling " You hit a Sergeant? Are you crazy? He could have killed you.... How could you be so reckless?"

Letizia put her hands up " I would try not to challenge him again... I would try not to let it happen again."

Vincenzo walked to her  while looking at her up and down all over her body " Go to medical room. I need a medical examination. He must have done some damage... Are you on pain killers? You look fine. But you cant be. No one touches him and walks away in one piece."

Letizia retorted "Well you do. You walked away in one piece when you challenged him."

Vincenzo stated " I am not like others... I have trained with him... You can't compare yourself to me. Now go to the medical room. I need to see if you are hurt."

Letizia was taken back. His tone didn't sound that angry. Maybe she could sense a hint of relief in his voice even though his voice sounded hard. She shook her head " I am fine... He didn't hurt me."

Vincenzo stated "That's impossible..."

Letizia sighed " I surrendered after the three warnings."

Vincenzo closed his eyes as he put his hand on his hips. He tried to compose himself. He wasn't the type who acted irrationally. He was in full control but still fighting the urge to go outside and challenge Tristan. But she was not hurt. If she was hurt, he was going to go after him with all he had. He opened his eyes." You are lucky... Really lucky." His tone turned more harder "Now. I am going to ask you one more time... Are you hurt?

Letizia spoke truthfully " No." she wasn't hurt but she was sore. He had made sure she landed on her bottom and lower back hard enough to become sore. She had a painful walk back as a result but she had walked the pain off. She was fine now.

Vincenzo was undecided about if he should have taken this up with Tristan. He spoke in a frustrated tone " So you are not hurt..... He let you walk off undamaged..... I wouldn't have let you get away..."

Letizia questioned " What do you mean?"

Vincenzo took step closer to her. He stood towering over her and spoke in a chilling voice " If my position and Tristan was reversed, I wouldn't have let you walk away...., it's hard to imagine because my sister happens to be his girl. I would never hurt her... But let's say if his girl was someone who meant nothing to me, I wouldn't have let her walk away unharmed if she hit me..... He let you walk off because of ... Vienna.... It just doesn't add up. He doesn't show special preference to anyone. He treats boys and girls the same who cross him. You being a girl didn't save you... You being my girl certainly didn't save you .... The only reason you were saved is ... Vienna. He doesn't want tension between our families because of her. I must hand it to him... He has self restraint. But he has a limit... If I was in his position and you were a total stranger, I would have done some serious damage to you..."

His words brought chills down Letizia's spine. She took a step back taking a quick breath. He meant every word.

Vincenzo then stated " I can't declare war on him if he hasn't hurt you .... It would be too pointless to do so. But If he has hurt you, I won't stand by and let him get away with it...."

Letizia took a step forward " I don't want a war. I will try not mess with him again."

Vincenzo nodded " If that's what you wish I respect it.... You are dismissed. This lesson is no where near finished Private Marciano. Let join back the exercise." He then walked past her to the door.

Letizia followed him. He put his hand on the door and turned " I like these shorts you are wearing by the way. Green and black matches you, my fighter. Just keep your head down and we won't have a problem."

Letizia shrugged " If you keep your ego down, I can keep my head down."

He knew his girl was back. This fire inside her and not fearing consequences was something he loved about her. It got her into trouble but he knew one day she could back up her fiery nature with full force power.

He went behind her and slapped her bottom " Tsk Tsk. You can't answer back to your superior. You should not tempt me to give you a taste of discipline Private Marciano. Don't make me punish you out there. I know I would enjoy it and you won't."

Letizia sighed " I will try not to have a slip up."

Vincenzo chuckled and spoke in a husky tone that made Letizia wary " If you could read what's on mind right now you would not test me."

Letizia turned to him " I don't like answering to authority ..... I would try to put up with this so called exercise and would not test you or Tristan... Also I would work hard to become authority myself. That's the only way to protect myself."

Vincenzo smiled " That is my girl. Let's hope you extend it beyond this camp one day too ... by my side of course." He said the last words with so much meaning behind each word they made her feel pleasure. She liked the sound of that. She liked the sound of being by his side. They had reached that point in their relationship.

Vincenzo then opened the door" After you Private Marciano." He was so glad she could appreciate the power of authority and wanted to be an authoritative figure rather than crumbling down after her encounter. That was the fighting side of her that he loved. But he was going to be wary of threats and watch over her. She knew she was going to find the balance ins day. She just chose the wrong person to mess with.

Letizia walked out and immediately tried to focus on what Vincenzo had taught her. This was like a change of personal to business mode.  She walked to the circle of members taking her position as the privates were reciting everything Tristan and Vincenzo said. After joining back, she felt different. She felt relief she had shared her words with Vincenzo. It made her feel better.

Letizia looked to her left and saw Vienna. She looked like sunshine with her beautiful golden hair and flawless pale skin. She glowed. She wondered if Vienna knew how adorable she even looked to everyone. She never envied her. Envy was not her style. She just wondered how was it possible to be just so perfect. Wherever she went, the boys were mostly talking about her. They were placing bets on who she was going to take to prom. Money was on " Not Edward Blake" and most on Tristan. A few said she went alone. She just was a dream to many. Literally. Many admired her and never dared talk to her. Did she have any idea how much people wanted her to glance at them and talk to them. She doubted that. Her focus was mostly on not getting into trouble or was it? She was the perfect girl. She wondered if she was even capable of making mistakes."

Then out of no where she found herself face to face with Tristan as she was brought out of her thoughts. His voice boomed and made her cringe " Private Marciano, can you repeat what I just said?"

Letizia was kicking herself mentally. She hadn't been listening to his instructions. She looked past him and saw Vincenzo was instructing a group of boys. When had the circle dispersed and were put on groups?

Letizia felt defeated. Another strike by Tristan in one day. Today wasn't her day. As she was about to admit she didn't know, she heard Vienna " I know Sergeant. You told her to join her the one you paired her up with ... Me to make way to our path to follow and make observations and report back in half an hour as part of the patrol  exercise."

Tristan turned to her who was standing behind him. Letizia didn't even want to know how he looked. His voice was threatening and scary. " Private Rosario. I don't recall asking you... I will deal with you personally therefore in this exercise." He turned to Letizia and made her jump with his harsh tone " Don't let me catch you drifting off. You switch your pair with mine. Go and join Private Blake. Then acquire your task sheets from Sergeant Rosario.... I will be pairing up with Private Rosario instead."

Letizia sensed the finality in his tone. If she argued, he was going to regret it. She mouthed a thank you to Vienna as she walked by her who was standing stiffly as Tristan had now turned to her and staring her down. Then she saw Vienna smile at her  weakly which was scarily picked up by Tristan " Is there something funny?"

Vienna replied " No Sergeant."

Letizia felt bad for making her smile when she had said thanks to her. She walked to Edward Blake who was as pale as a chalk holding an instruction sheet that Vincenzo handed to him.

Letizia stood in front of him " What is the matter. Why are you shaking?"

Edward looked up at her while he was put king around " I have two strikes today so far and .... he is going to be paired with me..., Sergeant O'Neil." He was looking at Tristan at the other side as though he was looking at a chopping block that was about to execute him."

Letizia sighed " He is not in your group. I am... Vienna saved you by the looks of it." She then thought to herself " And me."

Edward was looking at her with shock " He is ... not working with me? Really?" She then looked at Vienna waiting in military stance as Tristan was walking back to her with clip boards as he had acquired them from Vincenzo. He looked so grateful and Letizia understood why... Edward was a genius. Physically he wasn't very strong but he was smart. He didn't mess up at the camp except for when he got nervous around people with authority who intimidated him like Sebastiano, Tristan and Vincenzo. Now by the looks of it, it was his lucky day. Letizia wished Tristan didn't give Vienna a hard time... Then Vincenzo's warnings rang in her mind. Actions have consequences.... Either don't defy people in position of authority or be prepared to pay for it if you do. She wondered if Vienna had been prepared for the consequences when she had decided to save her.

Vienna was looking at Letizia and Edward breathing a sigh of relief. It came natural to her to watch out for others who weren't as fortunate as her. She felt sorry for Letizia. It was her first day and she didn't know the rules. Who knew? Maybe she was going to regret her action which was instinctive. She didn't think twice to come to Letizia's rescue. She was her team mate. But of course Tristan had changed the group and in the process Edward was saved from prospect of getting a third strike from Tristan that day.

Vienna's focus went back to her situation. Tristan was walking to her with his passive expression carrying two clipboards. He hadn't told her off yet. But she knew it was coming. It was a matter of time. Tristan liked playing with his victims. He took his time like how his father did. She shuddered at the reputation he had built up which she was yet to experience.

Tristan handed her a clipboard as he stood in front of her " Carry this with you Private Rosario. We will talk about your misconduct when we reach our destination."

Vienna took the clipboard and responded " Yes Sergeant."

Tristan ordered " Walk alongside me." He then walked away and Vienna walked beside him. It was abit hard to keep up with his long steps. She was almost sprinting.

As they walked through a path labeled and patrol A route, she was getting more nervous. In the first stop along the patrol route she saw the patrol station that was equipped with binoculars. Tristan came to a halt and instructed " Pick up the binocular Private Rosario and state what you observe. Then you can write it down on the paper on the clipboard.

Vienna picked up the binocular and looked around. She spotted it quickly. There was a message written on a banner on top of a tree. She put down the binocular " It says Wise Comrades keep going this way." She then picked up the clipboard from the ground and wrote down her observation." She looked up at the Tristan for further instructions.

Tristan was looking at her with narrowed eyes that made her bite her lip nervously. She had no idea what she did to him when she bit her lip.

Tristan took a deep breath and stated in a harsh tone " That's an expression interesting observation. All I see is a comrade who is pushing it with her superior." He took a step towards her staring her down making her drop the clip board from nervousness as she took a step backwards. They were now alone in the middle of the woods. Vienna had no idea what to expect.

Tristan put his hands behind his back and looked into her eyes " You showed sympathy to Private Marciano. That was a big mistake."