Walking the fields, the two soon found themselves nearing the training camp site, where mercenary instructors and teachers from the military academy would spend their time devising training regiments and other activities for the soldiers and knights.
At the center of the camp was where both captains were currently located. Nearby guards, soldiers, and knights eyed the Ranger and Princess; some looked with envy and hate, while others interest and genuine curiosity. Paying no mind to the men, Princess Lecca and Sergeant Randall entered the olive-drab command tent.
In the dark interior, both Captain Orwell and Captain Thompson stood around a wooden table with several other knights. There, the group stopped speaking about their current topic as both Princess Lecca and Sergeant Randall made themselves known.
Captain Orwell and the Knights saluted the Princess as she walked to the table with Mike behind her. "Gentlemen." She said in a business-like tone, "How is the formation of the taskforce coming about?"
Stepping back, Thompson gave room for Captain Orwell to speak. "Logistical elements are still being sorted, Princess, but we have found the necessary knights and soldiers to fill in our combative gaps. Captain Thompson was kind enough to provide the basis on how we should structure this taskforce. You will find that most of the organization is not of our own."
Stepping forward Thompson interjected his opinion much to the distain of the knights around him. "What he's saying is that you and your kingdom have no experience in organizing a sizable group to engage a larger enemy." Thompson then pointed to one of the organizational charts on the table, "Since you obviously want my team on the front lines, we have placed you Princess as our commanding officer, while Captain Orwell and others will act as on field officers that will communicate with elements here at the castle."
"This is of course a rough organization, since what the king wants is on par to creating an entire division."
Looking over several of the documents laid out on the table, Lecca provided an acceptable response, "Captain, I would recommend taking a break for the time being. It has only been a single night since your arrival, and to ask you to create a division capable of extraordinary feats is out of the question now."
Thompson shook his head in disagreement as he patted his hands against his dirtied pants, "With all due respect Princess, might I remind you that this kingdom summoned me and my men to combat a fucking enemy that this military can't even handle." He complained as he chuckled to himself, "For fuck sakes, we aren't Green Berets. We can assist, but we can't train an entire army. All we can do is provide the necessary tools for you and your people to win this war. Then we fuck off."
One of the more regally dressed knights let out a snobbish laugh as he responded to Thompson's outcry, "I told your Orwell; these men can't even train soldiers! How can we expect them to fight the demon lord if they can't even hold a sword properly? They know nothing of our culture, they know nothing of our enemies, and they know nothing of respect!"
"Respect!?" Thompson exclaimed as his fatigue caught up to him, "In war there is no fucking respect!" The knights around became silent as he continued, "The reason my people have weapons such as these is that humanity had long forgone respect! The place we come from; You'd be lucky if you didn't get fucking shot once you stepped outside!"
Thompson took a deep breath as Mike walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder. "You, okay?" He asked garnering a nod.
Wiping a layer of sweat from his face, Thompson continued, "I understand Captain Orwell that your men doubt our abilities. How about some course, or something! Give me something to work with and I can guarantee I will meet you halfway…Just don't assume that I will put the lives of my men over yours…"
"There is a course we have built for our archers…" One of the hesitant knights spoke up breaking the tense silence that had arrived after Thompson's outburst. "It's no less than half of one mile and it includes several objectives for an archer to obtain."
Thompson took out the final piece of gum he had in his pants and quickly unwrapped it and stuffed the sugary substance in his mouth. "Fine." He said between a sudden yawn. "We'll play this game."
With the knights backing away from the table, Captain Orwell watched as Thompson picked up his rifle resting beside it. He stared at the FDE colored weapon as his fellow captain slung an olive drab sling around his shoulder. In a similar manner, the man on the other side of the table, Sergeant Mike Randall, also maneuvered his weapon into a comfortable position.
Walking alongside Orwell and Princess Lecca, Thompson and Mike were surround by four knights as they walked to the location of the course just outside of the training area towards a small collection of stables where a covered wagon and several horses waited for them to arrive. Their destination was just outside of the royal city, and the "archers' course" as so aptly named by Orwell was in fact a collection of both natural and man-made prefabs.
Leaning against the wall of one of the many stalls that lined the area they were currently in, Mike stood across from Thompson who was sitting on the dry-dirt ground. Little words came from both men; just the occasional greeting or sneer remark, but other than that, they were silent.
Princess Lecca had momentarily left the two to deal with some of the knights and Captain Orwell. Though now a ceremonial rank, her position as Chieftain provided the necessary authority among the men that seemed to respect her, which was all but three knights and soldiers.
Thompson hummed an old tune from the 21st century. His mind was not occupying its space. His right leg bounced to the tempo of the music he hummed. His eyes kept flashing to the blue sky above, though he held nothing but an apathetic gaze.
In a parallel manner, Mike stood ready against the wall. His right leg was kicked up and supporting his weight, while his back pressed his uncomfortable vest against the wood. The Sergeant kept watch, never giving an opportunity for someone to take advantage of the two. Being guarded gave a safe sensational feeling to him; it just provided the right amount of tension and alertness to make sure his mind did not wander.
"Sergeant!"
Calling out in a delighted voice at the entrance to the small complex was PFC Green and the other Rangers behind him. As the group walked through the courtyard, their dirtied faces and clothing was looked down upon by the soldiers and knights of the kingdom; for some however they looked with respect.
Getting up from the ground with the convenient placement of one of the stall doors, Captain Thompson dusted off his pants and walked out with Mike shadowing him.
After a few greetings and an immediate recap on what happened during the organizational briefing done not more than an hour ago, the men gathered themselves and their gear as they walked to the small line of three carriages. With the rear carriage containing supplies and weapons, the Rangers bypassed the riders and headed to Captain Orwell and the Princess.
"It's seeming you men are quite punctual." Captain Orwell said sarcastically, "You'll be joining myself and Princess Airish in the second carriage."
As the men climbed on, Mike hesitated for a moment as a sharp feeling came over his gut.
"You scared of carriages, Sergeant? Get the fuck in." Sergeant Malkovich said with a laugh.
"Don't mind me."
With an iron grip, Mike entered the carriage and soon after had the Princess and Captain Orwell sit next to him before departure.
Publicly Available Information: Chain of Command:
In the Kingdom of Yondel, the Knight organization act as leaders, while common folk make up the majority of the army. The Royal family act as both military and civilian leaders overseeing all operations both foreign and domestic, while the royal court designate both resources and funds to the people and military.
Top Ten:
- King Aldrecht Spell Shaldrecht
- Crown Prince William Shaldrecht
- Queen Juna Shaldrecht
- Head of Royal Court, Alexander Von Lockhart
- Head of the Army, Michael Falkner
- Head of the Navy, Waterer Harold
- Grand Harbinger, Julius Zane
- Harbinger, Udine Oliver
- Grand Edict, Harkolo Milline
- Princess Leccamaradel Emma Airish