Friday afternoons were usually quiet.
At least, that was what Corporal Angelo Sanchez had hoped for.
The deployment had been long, and the men under his command had earned a few hours away from the routine. So, after completing the morning duties, Angelo had allowed most of his patrol to head into town.
"Back before nineteen hundred," he had told them.
One of the soldiers had grinned.
"Yes, Corporal."
Angelo had narrowed his eyes.
"That wasn't a suggestion."
The grin disappeared.
"Yes, Corporal."
Angelo watched them leave before climbing into the patrol vehicle.
He had decided to remain on duty.
There was no reason for the entire patrol to be in town at the same time. Someone needed to remain mobile within their assigned Area of Responsibility.
That someone was him.
He started the engine and moved onto the road.
The afternoon sun hung low over the countryside of Sanjara. The roads were busier than usual as people finished their work and began making their way home for the weekend.
Angelo drove without hurry.
His eyes constantly moved between the road, the surrounding terrain and the occasional person or vehicle.
Habit.
A soldier never really switched off.
The radio crackled occasionally with routine communications, but there was nothing requiring his attention.
For once, the afternoon was uneventful.
Then he heard something.
A sharp metallic sound.
Angelo immediately slowed.
He turned the radio down.
Silence.
Then—
A shout.
Angelo's expression changed.
It had come from somewhere off the road.
He pulled the vehicle to the side and stopped.
His hand moved instinctively toward his weapon.
He listened again.
Another shout.
This time there was no mistaking it.
Someone was in trouble.
Angelo stepped out of the vehicle.
He moved toward the sound, keeping low as the terrain allowed.
A short distance ahead, beyond a low stone wall, he saw them.
Three men.
Two elderly civilians.
The woman was on the ground.
One of the men was holding her husband by the front of his shirt while another searched through their belongings.
The third stood nearby.
Angelo watched for several seconds.
Three suspects.
Two civilians.
At least one visible knife.
Possibly another weapon.
His training immediately began calculating distance, cover and risk.
There was no time to wait for backup.
He stepped into view.
"Hey!"
All three men turned.
The man holding the elderly gentleman froze.
Angelo raised his voice.
"Let them go."
The man with the knife laughed.
"Keep walking, soldier."
Angelo didn't move.
"I said let them go."
The third man reached beneath his jacket.
Angelo saw the movement.
Everything happened at once.
The weapon came out.
Angelo moved.
He closed the distance before the attacker could properly aim, knocking the weapon aside and driving his shoulder into the man's chest.
They crashed into the side of the vehicle.
The second attacker came from Angelo's left.
A knife flashed.
Angelo twisted away.
The blade missed his ribs by inches.
He caught the man's wrist, turned with the momentum and drove the attacker hard into the ground.
The third man recovered.
Angelo barely had time to turn before a fist struck his jaw.
Pain exploded across his face.
He stumbled.
The attacker charged again.
Angelo planted his feet.
He caught the man's arm, redirected his momentum and sent him crashing onto the dirt.
The man tried to get up.
Angelo struck once.
The attacker stayed down.
The knife-wielding robber came at him again.
Angelo blocked the arm, twisted it behind the man's back and forced him onto his knees.
"Stay down."
The man struggled.
Angelo increased the pressure.
"Don't make me hurt you."
The man stopped.
Angelo looked toward the first attacker.
He was reaching for the fallen weapon.
Angelo kicked it away.
"Don't."
The man froze.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then the elderly woman began to cry.
Angelo immediately turned away from the criminals.
"Are you all right?"
The woman nodded shakily.
Her husband was still standing.
But he had one hand pressed against his side.
Angelo noticed the blood.
"Sir?"
The old man looked down.
His fingers were red.
"You're injured."
The man looked almost surprised.
"I hadn't noticed."
Angelo crouched beside him.
"Where were you cut?"
The old man indicated his side.
Angelo carefully examined the wound.
It wasn't deep enough to appear immediately life-threatening, but it was bleeding.
"You need medical attention."
The elderly woman nodded quickly.
"Yes."
Angelo reached for his radio.
"Control, this is Corporal Sanchez. I have three suspects detained and two civilian casualties requiring medical assistance. Request police and medical response to my location."
The response came quickly.
"Copy, Corporal Sanchez."
Angelo looked back at the three attackers.
"Stay where you are."
None of them seemed interested in testing him again.
The elderly gentleman watched Angelo carefully.
"You're a soldier."
Angelo nodded.
"Yes, sir."
"You stopped because you heard us?"
"Yes."
"You didn't know who we were."
"No."
The old man studied him.
"Would it have made a difference?"
Angelo looked at him as though the question were strange.
"You were civilians in danger."
The old man smiled.
"So that is all that mattered?"
Angelo shrugged.
"That's enough."
The sound of approaching vehicles could be heard in the distance.
The old man continued watching him.
There was something thoughtful in his expression now.
"What's your name?"
"Corporal Angelo Sanchez."
The old man repeated it quietly.
"Angelo Sanchez."
"Yes, sir."
The elderly man extended his hand.
Angelo took it.
The grip was firm despite the injury.
"My name is Daniel."
Angelo nodded.
"Nice to meet you, Daniel."
Daniel smiled.
"You saved my life."
Angelo shook his head.
"I did my job."
Daniel looked at him for a long moment.
Then he said quietly:
"Perhaps."
The police vehicles arrived.
Officers quickly moved toward the three suspects while paramedics went to the elderly couple.
Angelo stepped aside and gave his report.
The situation was becoming orderly again.
But before the paramedics carried Daniel away, the old man called him.
"Corporal."
Angelo turned.
Daniel looked at him from the stretcher.
"Do you believe a man's word means something?"
Angelo frowned slightly.
"Yes."
"Even when he gives it to a stranger?"
Angelo hesitated.
"Yes."
Daniel smiled.
"Good."
The paramedics began moving him toward the ambulance.
Angelo watched.
He had no idea who Daniel really was.
He did not know that the elderly man beside him was King of Valoria.
He did not know that the woman being treated nearby was his Queen.
He did not know that they had deliberately left their royal security detail behind when they travelled to Sanjara, believing their private holiday would allow them to move unnoticed.
And he certainly did not know that their decision to travel anonymously had just placed him in the path of a royal family.
For Angelo Sanchez, it had simply been another incident in his Area of Responsibility.
Another civilian rescue.
Another report to write.
Another Friday afternoon.
Or so he thought.