Kalin said, “Yes, sir,” but his tone was still subdued.
The major slapped his shoulder and walked away. Dahral was at his side a moment later. Kalin explained what had been said without prompting. At the end, Dahral nodded.
“That’s good advice. I’d follow it. You’ve been in uniform less than a moon, with twenty-five to go. They’ll give you a little more slack than the rest of us, but just a little.”
Kalin nodded and headed toward his tent. “Lieutenant Zel’Kordil says to worry about lieutenant-sized problems and leave the bigger problems to the higher-ups.”
“Who?”
“Marlav Zel’Kordil. Royal Guard. He’s two years older than me, and a sixth son, but he’s already an officer in the Royal Guard. Brilliant tactician, and excellent swordsman. He spent a lot of time whacking me in the ribs to convince me to pay attention to my lessons.”
Dahral grinned. “Seems to have worked.”
“Yes. But it’s the lessons in tactics that are bothering me now.”
“How so?”
Kalin looked around as he spoke. “We’re exposed here. I’m worried that we’re too open to attack. I know the general has ordered extra sentries, but I want to order our men to be more cautious.”
Dahral shrugged. “So, we do. There’s no such thing as being too prepared. What do you have in mind?”
“I want to have our men sleep dressed and armed.”
Dahral nodded. “We don’t need the major’s permission for that. We should let them take their boots off if they want to. I can’t sleep with my boots on.”
The lieutenants made their way among their men, giving their orders softly. The entire 8th Raiders went to bed with their uniforms on and weapons close at hand. It was well after mid-night when Kalin’s inner caution proved wise.
A scream from a wounded sentry was their only warning. Kalin was out of his tent fully clothed and armed in an instant. More than half of the Raiders were with him, and the rest were not bothering to tie their boots before grabbing their swords.
A roar from the rest of the troops attested to other commands having taken similar precautions. Whatever the attackers had thought to find, it certainly wasn’t what they found. Fully five hundred troops raced into the fray, striking down the attackers without mercy.
In the end, there were twenty-three dead attackers, but only three men of the four-man sentry team had been lost.
Lord General Zel’Faran made his way through the battle field by torch-light to speak to his men.
“Well done, all of you. You men who slept prepared are to be commended for your initiative.”
A young archer, one of only six women in the entire command, stepped forward and bowed. “Your pardon, General, sir, but we were ordered to sleep prepared by our lieutenants.” She looked at Fortan Zel’Bordal and nodded. “They deserve any praise for us being ready.”
The general looked at his officers and could pick out which lieutenants had given those orders by their expressions: his newest officers. Turning to look at his senior staff, he grinned.
“I think such initiative deserves recognition, don’t you? And I don’t ever want to know who came up with it first. I think it is fitting that all of them share the credit equally.”
Colonel Zel’Freedan nodded. “Yes, sir. The proper notation will be made in their records.”
Arandar rose much too late. No one managed to get back to sleep after the adrenaline rush of battle. The morning meal was consumed in near total silence by the exhausted troops. As they broke camp, word was passed to all commands that they were going to return to Evandia before they camped again. That drew some moans and groans from the infantry, but nothing serious. Such was life in the Army.
As fate, and a bit of luck, would have it, they crossed the border well before the end of the day, and the general called a halt as soon as the Raiders, who had been given the dubious honor of rear-guard, crossed into Evandia.
Kalin and Dahral were both drooping in their saddles by the time they stopped. The order, “Set camp. Standard camp listing in two spans,” had them seeing to their men before reporting to the major.
“Sir, camp is set per regulations, sir!” Dahral snapped with Kalin standing half a step behind him.
“Well done, both of you. Now get some sleep before you fall down.” The major grinned at his men. “Same precautions you took last night. Yes, we all know it was your idea. But next time inform me. Felt like a fool being so late to the fight. I noticed that all of your friends managed to survive. That is the best result we could have asked for.”
Both lieutenants came to attention and said, “Yes, sir,” before bowing and going to their tents.
First light was announced by the bugler. Kalin briefly considered murdering the man, but decided he shouldn’t. That wouldn’t be appropriate at all. He managed to stand upright and was surprised to find himself fully dressed. Even his boots were still laced up. I must have been more exhausted than I thought.
He managed not to stumble as he walked out of his tent by concentrating on just putting one foot in front of the other all the way to the mess tent. Kava was ready, and he helped himself before the stewards could reach him. Dahral joined him moments later.
“Did you sleep in your uniform again?” he asked as he sat down. Kalin simply nodded. “I did as well.”
Kalin sipped his kava and asked, “Did you remember to take your boots off?”
“Yes.”
Kalin looked at his friend and grinned. “I didn’t even untie mine.” Dahral chuckled, but the stewards were bringing them plates of food, so there was no more time for conversation.
Colonel Zel’Freedan chuckled as he joined them. “There’s nothing like skipping a meal to build an appetite for the next one.”
Dahral said, “Yes, sir,” while Kalin sat at attention.
“Oh, go ahead and eat, men. We’ll be at least twelve days on the march home. The general will announce it later, but we’re going to make an effort to reassure the people of the countryside that they are protected. You two will probably be riding out with your entire command in a show of force. The 16th Cavalry will as well.”
The entire command moved along the Harney Point road, but didn’t return to the town. There was no need.
The 8th Raiders and 16th Cavalry were making wide sweeps to both sides of the road. Their instructions were to assure anyone they encountered that the Army was looking out for any trouble. Not everyone took that news well: the story of Lieutenant Zel’Dorvan’s attack had already made the rounds.
At long last, they arrived back at Fort Zel’Hardan. Major Zel’Carvan ordered his men to dismount, then led them to their stable at a walk. They were greeted by a pleasant surprise: someone had cleaned and stocked the stalls with fresh hay and water.
“See to your horses, men, then report to quarters. The general sent a rider ahead at first light so we should all have fresh, hot water to bathe with. Dismissed!”
Dahral and Kalin walked to the officers’ quarters side-by-side and fetched fresh uniforms, then returned to the ground floor bathing room to find all but one of the tubs in use.
Dahral waved at the tub and said, “Go ahead, Kalin.”
Kalin climbed into the tub gratefully, then said, “Climb in, Dahral. There’s plenty of room.” Dahral and the other officers stared at him like he’d grown horns. Kalin laughed and asked, “What, don’t you think I shared with my brother? At least you aren’t going to try and duck me under water when I’m not ready.”
Dahral took a breath, then nodded and climbed in. Like Kalin, he’d shared baths with his brothers all his life. He was startled when Kalin scrubbed his back without prompting, but returned the courtesy cautiously. Kalin was, after all, a prince. Other officers, including Captain Zel’Ival and some captains they had only met briefly, soon joined them.
Once they were clean and properly dressed, they were directed to the officers’ mess. When everyone was present, Lord General Zel’Faran, in full
dress kit, addressed them.
“Officers of Fort Zel’Hardan, I have been asked to convey the king’s gratitude to all of you. Your attention to your duty has become an inspiration to the Army as a whole. Five of you deserve special recognition. Lieutenant Fortan Zel’Bordal, Lieutenant Gerryan Zel’Patrin, Lieutenant Vertan Zel’Nevek, Lieutenant Dahral Zel’Fordal, and Lieutenant Kalin Zel’Andral, front and center.” The general looked at a place on the floor directly in front of him and the five young officers hurriedly obeyed his order, snapping to attention side-by-side.
The general looked at each of them before continuing. “You five young officers, all in your first year, saw a deficiency in my planning, and took steps to remedy it. On your own initiative, you ordered a portion of your commands to sleep ready for an attack. When that attack came, you led your troops in the defense of our command, resulting in the loss of just three sentries. For that, young lords, I thank you.” The general came to attention and bowed deeply. All five of the young lieutenants returned that bow just as deeply. When they were all standing at attention again, Colonel Zel’Freedan led a cheer that rattled the windows. Then the party began.
* * *
The entire command was celebrating. Of the twelve hundred troops in the command, only the twenty-person holding force remained on duty through the night.
First light found the troops of Fort Zel’Hardan queasy, but mostly functional. Kalin and Dahral had limited their consumption of wine and were in relatively good shape. They had been awakened by the usual bugle call, but found themselves two of only five officers at the morning meal.
Colonel Zel’Freedan walked over to them and grinned. “I see you two were wise enough to stop drinking early.”
Dahral smiled and bowed. “Yes, sir. Grandpa let me get drunk when I was ten and spent the whole day demonstrating why it was a bad idea. I never get drunk if I have to be alive the next day.”
The colonel shifted his attention to Kalin, and tilted his head to the side. Kalin shrugged and said, “I get wretched hangovers, so I limit myself to just two or three glasses of wine, sir.”
The colonel shrugged. “Same sad story for me,” he murmured. “See to your duties, but take mercy on your fellows. After the ceremony, not even the general is fit for duty today.”
After they had eaten, Dahral led the way to their stables. No one was there. Dahral muttered, “This won’t do,” and went to check his horse. Kalin followed his example.
Dahral looked over and said, “I’m going to see to my men’s mounts.”
Kalin looked over, came to attention, and bowed before moving on to the next stall. Both of them came from horse-loving families, so they knew what to do. Neither of their families had let them grow up without knowing how much hard work went into maintaining their horses. Now those early lesson, though seldom practiced, came forth.
They had seen to all but thirteen of the company’s horses when Major Zel’Carvan entered the stable. “Well done, both of you.” He winced and rubbed his temples. “I know better. I’ll see to Varis, you two continue as you were.”
Only two horses remained when thirty of their men stumbled to a halt as they came into the stable. They were openly amazed that their lieutenants, one of them a prince, had tended their horses. Kalin and Dahral saw to the last two horses while the major spoke to their men.
“That is the difference between good officers and what most of the Army has to put up with.”
With the last horses seen to, Kalin asked, “Is it time for the mid day meal yet?”
Dahral nodded and replied, “Yes, but we both have to bathe first and put on fresh uniforms. I smell like a stable-hand, and so do you.” They both laughed as they left the stable. The look on their troops’ faces was just too funny to resist.
Sergeant Bel’Neven walked over to his major and bowed. “Did you order that, sir?”
“Nope,” the major said as he grinned at his men.
“Then why’d they do it, sir?” another of the men asked.
“Because those two, as highly born as they are, are true leaders. They could have just seen to their own horses and left the rest, but that’s not the kind of men they are. They took care of your horses because you were recovering from the celebration. That, men, is a level of camaraderie that few officers feel toward their troops.”
The troops spent a moment considering that tidbit of information, then headed for the enlisted mess. At least, those who could stomach the idea of food did.
* * *
Word reached the fort a moon later concerning the fate of Renval Zel’Dorvan. The general had the entire command assemble in the exercise field for the announcement. “You all know what Lieutenant Zel’Dorvan did. I have received an official communication from Lord General Zel’Fordan. Renval Zel’Dorvan was tried and convicted of willful disobedience of a direct order. He was tried and convicted of murdering Evandian civilians. He was tried and convicted of attacking members of the Evandian Royal Family. He was strangled with pig gut immediately after his trial.” The general let his troops react for a moment before continuing.
“At the urging of his,” he paused and glanced to the side, “councilors, the king did not convict any of the others who were sent to Twin Bridges. They have all been sent to other commands to finish their service, so we’ll be getting new Scouts and officers to train replacement troops.”
The general turned away and Colonel Zel’Freedan bellowed, “Dismissed.”
As they walked away Dahral asked, “Why did the general pause and look at you when he said councilors, Kalin.”
“I sent a message to dad explaining what happened. No one but that ass deserved to be punished for his actions. He was uncontrollable.”
Dahral looked at his friend and grinned. “Mostly.”
* * *
Life in Fort Zel’Hardan calmed down for a while. The normal day-to-day tasks of the Army kept everyone busy. Dahral and Kalin were pressed into service as sword instructors for their fellow officers. Even some of their enlisted men requested extra training, and neither of them ever said no. And of course, the Army being the Army, there was physical training.
One day, Major Zel’Carvan met them near the officer’s quarters with a huge grin on his face. “Are you two ready?” he asked as Arandar peeked over the trees.
“For what, sir?” Kalin asked. The major just grinned wider and led the way out of the fort. Kalin saw what the major was grinning about immediately.
“Gel Hal?” he asked in a breathy tone.
The major laughed and said, “It’s better exercise than calisthenics, and a lot more fun!” Then he ran off to join a team, and Dahral and Kalin followed his lead.
Gel Hal was a kick-ball game with four ten-man teams on a square field, with a goal in each corner. The idea was to score ten points in an opposing team’s goal. That team dropped out while the rest continued until only one team remained. Colored ribbons tied to each player’s right arm defined the teams, and ribbons of the same colors marked the goals.
Dahral got the last red ribbon and Kalin got the first green. The players all ran to their goals, and waited until a referee placed the ball in the center of the field. He ran to the side, then blew a horn to start the match.
Five fields were in use, so there were two hundred soldiers playing at any one time. Once a game was over, the players turned in their ribbons and rested as they waited for a turn on another team.
A mid day meal consisting of bread, sliced sausage, and cheese washed down with beer came and went quickly. By the end of the day Kalin had played on six teams while Dahral had played on five. Both of them, along with everyone else, was exhausted but in high spirits. The bathing room echoed with laughter as the soldiers washed away the sweat and dust of their exercise.
Kalin found himself drooping at the evening meal, and went to bed earlier than Dahral, but not by much. The fort schedule had them in the field the next day, riding circuit around the area.
The troops fell into th
e routine of the Army. Moons passed as training cycled through sword, bow, lance, ax, horse, and physical. Officers and senior non-commissioned officers also received training in tactics and logistics.
Every tenth day was a day of rest in Evandia, even in the Army, and Kalin chose to spend his time writing a letter home. He had two pages done when Dahral slammed through their door.
“Kal, we’ve been summoned to an all officer meeting with the general,” he said as he quickly changed into a clean uniform.
Kalin followed his example without knowing why. That was life in the Army: don’t ask why, just do it. They hurried to the officer’s mess and took their places. Once everyone was present, the general gave them their orders.
“Gentlemen, King Ordan has ordered us to reinforce the border defenses. The harvest is still a moon away but there have already been raids. We will be dispersing along the border, with a force stationed at each village. How many will depend on the size of the community.”
Colonel Zel’Freedan stepped forward now and swept the room with a glare. “Each of you will be placed in command of a small force. None of you will have more than a hundred men under your command. Some will have significantly less. The minimum force we will leave is fifty soldiers and one officer.”
The general spoke again now. “We’ll be mixing your units up a bit, but every detachment will have infantry, archers, cavalry, and raiders. And cooks. Probably just one. You’ll have to assign men to help out with the mess. We leave in three days.”
Colonel Zel’Freedan took charge again and snapped, “Dismissed!”
Dahral and Kalin hurried back to their room. Kalin said, “This should be interesting.”
Dahral didn’t turn around as he replied, “You know there is an ancient curse about living in interesting times, don’t you?”
Kalin laughed. “It’s one of dad’s favorites.”
The entire compliment of Fort Zel’Hardan headed north west, following the trade road that skirted the Farindian border. Small towns were sprinkled along the road everywhere sufficient land and water could be found to grow crops.
The Coravian Conflict (Stavin DragonBlessed Book 5) Page 30
