Some Marshals asked about the battles with the Chula and other Lords asked what the Chula were like. It was a red-faced Lord Lashendo who admitted he had never seen one and only one man had survived out of the two engagements. He did go on to reiterate his grand plan to exterminate the Chula by baiting them.
“It is time we discussed your plan for eradicating the Chula,” interrupted Lord Marshal Grefon. “I do not think you are ready to bait them. I have reviewed your troop strength with Marshal Garouk and discussed the matter with Lord Ridak. I plan to reinforce Fardale with a Corte from Lituk Valley before the trap is sprung. In the meantime, you should make no further efforts at clearing Sitari Valley.”
Lord Lashendo was visibly shaken to have the Lord Marshal dictate policy to him as if the Lord of Fardale was not capable of handling his own affairs, but he kept his mouth shut. With no avenue for discussion to continue on, Lord Ridak announced the end of the meetings and informed everyone that a feast had been prepared for them for this final evening. Everyone filed out of the room except for Lord Marshal Grefon.
“Squad Leader Marak,” Grefon began, “the visiting soldiers are also being feasted this evening. Your men who serve as liaisons must continue their duties until the morning, but the rest of your men may join the guest soldiers at their feast if you wish. I will have no further need of your services.”
Marak went around and dismissed his men with Lord Marshal Grefon’s invitation to feast. All of the men opted to join the visiting soldiers and Marak joined them as well. A huge bonfire roared in an open area among the barracks and a huge wasooki was being roasted over it. Marak inhaled the aroma of the searing meat and realized how hungry he was. The Fardale contingent had brought a variety of squash, beans, carrots and peas. From Raven’s Point there were crab and clams and the River’s Bend contingent contributed clova meat, which was a little tough, but extremely tasty.
The Stony Brook boys were the favorites of the camp, though. They had managed to bring two barrels of mountain ale, which they had kept tied to a bridge in the cold river. Feeling slightly outdone, River’s Bend offered up a large tin of bocco and everybody stuffed their pipe and lit up.
Marak truly enjoyed himself for the first time in many years. He drank and smoked and feasted on large chunks of wasooki. Ironic, he thought, feast tonight, starve tomorrow. He quickly pushed his morbid thoughts away and listened to a soldier from Fardale telling tales about the Chula. The listeners marveled at the images of barbarian warriors riding tigers into battle. Another soldier from Fardale retold the last battle from the words of someone called Togi, a lumberman who was the sole survivor. Outraged cries rose from the fireside as he described the wagon loaded with dead bodies and body parts that Togi had been forced to drive home. The Fardale contingent seemed to drink more than the others and none of them expressed relief that they were leaving in the morning to return home. Eventually, everyone partied out and Marak returned to the barracks and fell asleep instantly.
The morning came and Marak was resigned to accept it. He dressed quickly and assembled his men for the farewell. He marched his squad to the front of the mansion and arranged them as he had for the greeting.
Lord Ridak and Lord Marshal Grefon came out the front door with Lord Lashendo and Marshal Garouk. After short farewell speeches, Lord Lashendo dismissed the liaisons and the Fardale contingent mounted and rode off towards the main gate.
Lord Horkad and Marshal Simi of Forest Deep left next, quickly followed by Lord Caruko and Marshal Flutay of River’s Bend. Lord Zerik of Raven’s Point held a prolonged conversation with Lord Ridak until Marshal Roak interrupted and led him to the waiting horses. Lord Wernik and Marshal Cadam from Stony Brook were the last to go, with Marshal Cadam making some joke about mountain ale on his way past Marak’s men.
Everyone stood and watched the Stony Brook warriors leave through the gate. As soon as they disappeared, Cortain Koors emerged from the barracks and strode over to the steps to the mansion.
“I believe we have a meeting scheduled, Lord Marshal,” smiled Koors.
The Lord Marshal nodded and started inside with Koors and Marak right behind him. He caught motion out of the corner of his eye and quickly twirled to see what it was. Every one of Marak’s men had turned their wristbands inside out. Grefon gazed into the fields and saw that Tagoro’s men had done the same. Fury filled the Lord Marshal’s eyes when he looked for Squad Leader Rybak and saw that his men, who were returning from the main gate, also had their wristbands inverted.
He waited impatiently as Rybak and his men approached the mansion. He noticed that Rybak was the only one besides Koors and Marak who had not turned his wristband.
“Squad Leader Rybak,” commanded the Lord Marshal, “instruct all of the men in the proper wearing of their wristbands. Anyone who hesitates to make it right is to be flogged on the spot. I will have no insubordination under my command. Report to me as soon as you are done.”
Rybak smiled and saluted as he turned to administer the Lord Marshal’s wrath upon his fellow soldiers.
Turning to Koors and Marak, Grefon snapped, “Let us find out what folly has been happening behind my back. Both of you to my study, now.”
Chapter 4
Lord Marshal Grefon
Lord Marshal Grefon led the way into his study and sat behind his desk leaving Cortain Koors and Squad Leader Marak standing in front of his desk. For several moments the Lord Marshal straightened his desk and ignored the two soldiers standing before him. Eventually, Squad Leader Rybak entered the study and the Lord Marshal looked up.
“Your report, Squad Leader Rybak,” ordered Grefon.
“All wrist bands are properly displayed, Lord Marshal,” reported Rybak.
“Is there further need for disciplinary action on this matter?” quizzed Grefon.
“No, Lord Marshal,” stated Rybak. “No one hesitated to make the wristbands correct.”
“Very well, Squad Leader,” accepted the Lord Marshal. “Please wait in the sitting room until I need you and close the door when you leave.”
Squad Leader Rybak closed the door to the study and disappeared.
“Now, Cortain Koors,” began the Lord Marshal, “you have a disciplinary item that needs to be discussed. What is it?”
“Squad Leader Marak has broken his Vows of Service, Lord Marshal,” smiled Koors. “He has broken the rules by speaking to slaves without orders. As the Lord Marshal is aware, his acceptance in the Army is now forfeit as is his freedom.”
Grefon sat and stared at the two men standing before him, switching his gaze from one to the other. He knew them to be two soldiers who were loyal to the Situ Clan and the Army, but he also knew them as bitter enemies.
“Are you stating your claim to his person?” asked Grefon.
“Oh, no, Lord Marshal,” grinned Cortain Koors. “The violation was not against me, but against the Lord of the Situ Clan whom the Squad Leader gave his vows. I am merely performing my duty in reporting the infraction.”
“I see,” Grefon said straight-faced. “This is an extremely serious matter. You saw this Squad Leader talking with slaves and have verified that he was without orders?”