40
That night we didn't make a fort, we didn't stop moving either. Our scouts had located Sheo and we were headed for the protection of his fort. We slowed the pace in deference to the men's lack of food and the darkness of the night. Before midnight we were there, Kerral supplied the password and we were taken into the protection of the fort. My fort.
Sheo limped around the desk on his stiff leg and gripped my arm as I gripped his. We were glad to see each other and said so.
“How many?”
“Two full cohorts, starting on a third and up to three hundred there. Plus fifty equestes. Young and untried, Knight's sons, but keen enough.”
I nodded. Good. “Stores? Wait! Get me a drink, we are going to be a couple of hours at this, then sleep, then at it again before dawn. Might as well get comfortable. Who's this?”
“Lebbo, my aide.”
He was young. “Go find my first centurion Kerral and tell him he is in charge of everything until I relieve him.”
The boy hesitated and glanced at his commander. Sheo nodded and the boy left.
“I'll sort out the passing of command in the morning if that is acceptable, sir.”
“It is.” Oh yes. My command. And bigger than Tulian commanded. Ha! Then it occurred to me that I would lose the crossbowmen and the mages and the healers. Well, I would miss them. Especially the healers. And the mages. Damn. I'd ask Tul if I could borrow some. There weren't near enough to go round. Buy spells? I had two stones, that's two healers. I needed twelve. Damn! Money! The colleges were five hundred or more miles away so I wasn't going to get the healers in a hurry. Damn. Command is a pain.
“Where is the nearest town?” I might get lucky.
41
I had no idea.
“Isn't fun is it?”
Tulian was grinning from ear to ear. He'd sized up my dark and hollow eyes as I entered his tent (Ostrich or Elderberry depending on who you asked, him or me) and knew I'd not slept for things that needed doing and decisions that needed making. Here was one.
“We need to talk.”
“We are.”
“Alone.”
“Sorry, you'll have to wait. First things first.” He indicated his commanders, waiting for their orders. I nodded and settled to wait. “Get the commander a chair,” he said to no one in particular. One appeared and I sat in it, gratefully.
I paid attention to everything he said, wishing I had had a mentor, or time as an aide to watch and learn. Well, I'd had the opportunity and declined it several times. No one to blame but me.
“Money,” I said when we were alone and he laughed.
“No way.”
I sighed, thought he might say that. What was his motivation to help me support a larger force than I could afford? “Thought you'd say that. My force is bigger than yours..”
“But I know how to use mine, and can afford it,” the barbs went home, “and we had an agreement, remember?”
I did. “I'll honor it but it was worth a try.”
“Forget it. You have the makings of a good commander but you don't have the experience. Use your larger force as I direct and we will be fine.”
“I'll argue if I think you are wrong.”
“I expect it, but not on the battlefield itself, understood?” I knew he was right, so nodded.
“Good.”
“You will help me feed my men.” It wasn't a question.
“I'll do that but the money I use is a loan with interest.”
“Greedy, cousin.”
“Aren't we all, cousin. Agreed?”
“Okay, sir. When do we formalize this?”
“Now. I ordered a full assembly, best you get your men to do the same.”
“Oh, and I want Yebratt Shaheel, one of your knights, red hair and a beard.”
“I know him. Why?”
“I know him and I don't want an unknown in command of my horse.”
He nodded. “Good enough reason. I'll issue the order.”
I left. I had things to do.
42
It was four days before Sapphire threw down his practice sword and said, “Practice with your own men from now on. I've taught you all I can in the time,” and walked away without another word.
I swore at him under my breath.
Pakat didn't say anything but I could see he didn't approve.
I was hurting too much to care. I thought I had been busy before but that was nothing, I now realized. I worked with Sapphire for an hour each night, or rather he worked me over. I was up before dawn, planning the day and giving orders. Latrines. My army literally couldn't take a dump without me giving an order. Then I went and trained with the men till noon. Every single problem came to my tent. I didn't have the experience to deal with it but I did have knowledge.
Unknowingly I gained a reputation as being thoughtful commander, because I paused every time I was asked anything to think and remember. I was glad I had the natural arrogance of my class or I never would have had the guts for it. Still, I couldn't cope alone and I learned to delegate. First had been the chain of command: Tulian above me, and no one else. Then myself commanding one cohort and Kerral the other. I'd left Quail in charge of the half cohort. Sheo to command the equestes and Yebratt Shaheel as captain, the equivalent of first centurion; he had been delighted and grateful for the promotion. For each cohort I had assigned Pakat and Luk as first centurions, and Geheran and Gobin as seconds. Tul had let me keep them. I had managed to hire two healers, Libby and Westel, from the nearest town, called Undralt, where they had lived and worked. They cost a fortune and I was already in debt after day two. But in debt to a surprise creditor.
Sapphire had come to my tent early the morning after we had arrived. He'd dumped a satchel on my desk without a word of preamble and handed me a letter.
This scrip is a loan.
That was all. Not a word of praise. Still, I was relieved to have the scrip with his seal on it. I had played with the idea of using my own but every single transaction would have been an argument out here where I was not known; my family name might have cut it sometimes but I didn't have time to argue with everyone I wanted to hire or buy from. My father's name was much better known and trusted, and natives could ask a man of the city and be assured the scrip was good. I was relieved of one more problem but couldn't quite manage gratitude.
As I watched Sapphire walk away now, having just been worked over by him, I wondered why I had never
