In my past and present life, I had never taken to physicality of any kind. Most especially fighting. As such my understanding of formal battle-past or present- was diluted by boorish brawls and my own self-imposed seclusion.
Today, for the first time ever, I witnessed a mock battle session, duels and combat drills. It all felt and looked very professional and not at all what I expected from the soldiers of a starving medieval Kingdom.
Mathilda nudged me out of the daze and smiled, "Would you like to join our ranks? I see a shine in your eye." At this, I rolled my eyes. Although, I did feel inspired.
She took a space on the bench I sat on, in her hand she held what was most certainly ale, "Don't look so amazed though." She burped loudly and continued, "This is the most skill you will find in the army. Other than the bunch I command right here" she gestured wavily, "There are just a handful of other regiments with even scantier skilled men. It's a shame really." She said, sounding genuinely saddened as she gulped down some more of her drink.
This caught me by surprise really. But it also exposed my own naïveté to things outside my purview. For whatever reason, the marshal herself was dissatisfied with the state of the military. And it seemed she had no direct way to influence the change she desired. I wanted to know why.
"Would you not prefer it this way?" I would bait the information out of her, "This way, you and your men secure all the glory battle has to offer in a victory."
She shook her head drunkenly, a light head it seems she was, "Honour and glory are of no real use to the Kingdom. If only one man remains standing upon the battlefield, who is left to cultivate the soil with him?"
She had a point in-between her idioms and hiccups. If what she said was true and the army was largely composed of an unskilled peasantry, then the casualties must be colossal, especially in regards to industry. If all the yeomen and sons died off in the won war, there would be a large deficit in working-class men to work the newly gained property and lands. This would lead to a deterioration in the general and local economy until the population had risen again.
Saia was, as far as I had come to know, a warring Kingdom. It was weak economically but very radical in expansion. Few times, mostly during times of heavy war exhaustion, Saia had permitted the continued residency of the aborigines of conquered lands. This all took place under the reign of the dynasty that still ruled over all of Saia.
And so, with time, the once peaceful diplomatic but ultimately cautious and resilient Saia only existed in the folklore of the commoners, wiped out from present records.
But putting a solution to the military's problem would mean putting a solution to the Kingdom's problem: The ruling dynasty.
They needed to be ousted from power for reform and development to occur with vigour. A large economic boost in Saia would theoretically allow for the maintenance of a larger, organized and trained standing army than what it had now.
A light tap from Mathilda summons me from my world of thoughts. The men had finally finished setting up the stage she ordered. I gave her a curt nod as we went up to address them.
I stood upon the stage and Mathilda handed me a scroll. She had compiled a list of twenty worthy men to attend the feast. Upon my orders, she made sure it included all of the closest men to Orson.
I take a look at the scroll once more, the names…
Upon gaining conscious knowledge of my reincarnation, I realized I wasn't in my world or time. But it was all surprisingly convenient that I was born into a world with striking similarities to mine. The feudal system, as well as the names, were all modelled after the Europeans in my world. I could only shrug and be satisfied with what was present before me. After all, I had no one to press my questions.
I stood before the gathered men, I was the one to make the announcement as I held the highest position presently. I could hand over to Mathilda but I needed to build myself up as a noble.
Looking into the large cluster of burly men, admittedly, I felt intimidated.
Their mutters and quiet discussions ultimately formed into a rowdy disorganized noise. They completely disregarded me.
Of course, I was a child still.
I look to Mathilda pleadingly, signalling to the rowdy men with my head. Unfortunately, Mathilda had drunk herself confused and she only smiled at me.
I let out a sigh, turned to the crowd, some of their eyes now lay on me. I close my eyes and quickly summon a memory of Father addressing the populace. Deciding to emulate and apply it to my situation with all I had.
"MEN!!!" thankfully, puberty hit my vocal cords well and my voice was deep enough to let out a powerful enough cry that I did not truly sound like a child.
Peeking through my eyelids, I saw I had their attention. I smiled and went a step further.
"FORM UP!!!" upon my words the men quickly shuffled into neatly lined columns and rows, their attention solely on me.
It felt good. My first taste of a form of power. From what little I had begun to recollect. My previous life never gave me opportunities to exercise any form of power. I let a grin grow on my face as I 'hmphed' and straightened my overcoat.
And so I began the address, "Now that I have your attention, oh noble warriors of Aville." I hear a few nervous chuckles in the back at this and I smile, comfortable in my word choice.
"I am the Special Advisor to the Duke Angilbert of Aville, our liege." Very few widened eyes at the revelation. Mathilda must have informed them prior to my knowledge.
"I have come with an announcement. There will be a feast held at the House of the Duke. The marshal and I have handpicked the exceptional few that will be invited to attend and consequently be recognized with honorary titles. Please remain quiet as I call out the names"
At this, indeed, the men were surprised.
The men had cheered excitedly at the call of each name, congratulating the chosen ones for their valour and promising to fight and train even harder. Though, once I had finished calling out the names I immediately sought to return to my home. It was already past midday, at least, according to my sundial.
I looked to Mathilda as I got into the carriage alone. She said she had to direct the men on some more practice drills as well as have the twenty understand what was expected of them at the feast.
I tapped the side of the carriage, signalling the driver to get going. It would take another four or six hours to get back. It seems I would be late still.
After an hour or more. I awaken. I had let my eyes close it seemed. Yet we still trotted on. We had gotten into the centre of locals. The towns and villages. The countryside. The sun had fallen and the people working on the large farmlands were scarce. Livestock grazed no more and candles lit up scantily across the rows of wooden homes.
Still, looking out the window, even in the dark, the suffering of the commoners could be seen plain as day. The poorest of the poor still resided in mud or straw homes and were more than often seen as the punchline of a joke, among even their peers. It was a terrible state of affairs as the standard of living was as low as it could be.
"Sir, we have arrived"
Taken out of my musings, I stepped out of the carriage as toss the driver a single copper coin, he grateful. Apparently bronze was not the last denomination. The logic went by the same still. A hundred copper coins for one bronze and a hundred bronze for one silver and a hundred silver for one gold.
Although I had never set my eye on a gold coin before, I knew it's worth. A single gold coin could fund a horde of mercenaries for one month. It was commonly known that very few people had the wealth to possess one or more. The King, certain Dukes and Duchesses, and expert merchants. Everyone else could only dream of such wealth.
Although it would be extremely woeful if it were to be stolen. And so, most people who had such wealth were smart enough to realize that breaking down the currency was safer than keeping it condensed. It was easier to pay for things this way as well.
I shake my head free of my deep musings as a servant greets me welcome. It was certainly very late already. I had no time to seek proper rest though. I headed to the dining hall immediately.
Upon arriving, I see everyone seated. None looking particularly pleased. Food untouched.
I make my presence known, "Father, forgive my lateness" I say in a bow. Galswinth was sure to blow up at me first. Or so I thought.
"Rainald, you finally deign us with your presence."
Orson…