With an efficiency honed over the last couple of weeks, Niall and his Patrol erected their shared tent. It did not take long to get set up and to unpack their few belongings. Well before the thirty-minute deadline, they were lined up and Niall was curious to hear what the Lieutenant had to say now they were actually here.

Exactly on time, Lieutenant Bligh walked up to their campsite accompanied by two people who Niall did not recognise. The man appeared to be a Lieutenant as well, while the woman was a Sergeant.

Lieutenant Bligh addressed them. “Militia, your time for training is over. This is Forward Base Glaive, it is designed to enable us to engage the enemy in an active war zone. From here, Gwillish forces are addressing the incursion into our lands we have experienced since the autumn. Our initial role in this deployment will be to take our turn on guard and patrol duty here at camp to free up the regular troops for the front line. In parallel, we will be stepping up our training by working with the soldiers who are stationed here. They are all combat veterans so they will provide an appropriate challenge for you.

“I should be clear that there is a real possibility we will be called up to fight in one of the assaults to push the Bulvine back. At this stage, no decisions have been made. The final strategy will be determined by General Ressin and his staff. However, if there is a push, you will be positioned as reserve troops to support the main attack. Should everything go as planned, you will not be required to fight. But have no doubts. If the call comes, we will answer.

“To that end may I introduce Lieutenant Salver and Sergeant Vistol. They are officers in the 5th Battalion, Queen’s Own Light Infantry, The Chargers. This is one of Gwilliant’s elite light infantry battalions. In acknowledgement of your non-enlisted status, and how far you have to progress, we will be partnered with their battalion for the duration of your time here. Listening to them and following their orders will be critical for saving both their lives and yours.

“One final thing. Tonight, before you turn in for the night, you are required to write a letter to your next of kin. Get it to Sergeant Strang before morning call tomorrow. For those of you that die while we are here, that letter will be what is sent to your loved ones.”

There was silence as Lieutenant Bligh paused and looked around. “As I said Ladies and Gentlemen, training is over. Welcome to the war.”

***

After breakfast the following morning, Niall led his patrol to their first training session. The previous evening had been difficult as the Militia members bent their heads to write their last letters and the rustles in the tent after lights out suggested some of the others were having trouble sleeping.

Unusually, Niall had found the process easier than many of the others, simply penning a brief note to Devon to thank him and his family for everything they had done. He had no idea if his death would keep The Deathless One from killing his family but there was nothing he could do other than make sure he stayed alive.

Sergeant Vistol greeted them as they arrived at the training ground. She was an enthusiastic looking dwarf who gave them all a smile. “Good. You arrived on time. Let’s get to it.” She led them onto the centre of the field as she spoke

To one side of the training area was a squad of soldiers. They looked up as the patrol approached and strolled over up to them. Niall examined them closely. While they wore similar leather armour and bore the same shield as the Militia Patrol, they carried wooden spears and swords. However, the real difference was in their attitude. Just from the restrained power in the way they walked up, Niall could see the results of hard-won experience.

The Sergeant gestured to gather them together. “Right, Militia Patrol Theta, meet Light Infantry Squad 15. You will be paired with each other for your time here. To work out how best to prepare you newcomers, we first have to find out what you can do.

“To that end, Patrol Theta, you will look to break through Squad 15’s defence. I want to see everything you’ve got so keep going until you are disarmed, or I tell you to stop. Any questions?”

Niall raised his hand.

“You’re in the army, Patrol Leader, not at school. Just ask the question.”

Niall blushed but pushed on. “Should we swap our weapons for wooden ones?”

All the members of Squad 15 started to laugh and even Sergeant Vistol cracked a smile.

“Honestly, Patrol Leader,” said the Sergeant. “If your patrol can lay a scratch on any of Squad 15 then they deserve all they get. Now let’s get to it.”

His cheeks now blazing, Niall organised his patrol into the attack formations they had been taught. At a nod from the Sergeant, they launched their attack. The first moments of the attack went well as the patrol crisply executed the manoeuvres they had practised. The defence of the soldiers was impeccable, however, and whenever Niall thought there was the hint of a gap in their defence he could exploit, it would close. Despite his frustration, Niall continued to call out orders to his patrol.

After a few minutes, Niall realised they were starting to make some inroads. The ferocity of their attack was forcing the light infantry squad to slowly retreat.

“We’ve got them,” Niall called out. “Keep pushing.” He attacked with renewed vigour crouching behind his shield and jabbing out at every crack that appeared.

His own patrol responded to his efforts and, step by step, the soldiers retreated. Niall gave a tight grin, the prospect of an unlikely victory nudging at the edges of his mind.

It was then the soldiers launched their counter attack. There was a terse command from the squad leader and from either end of the defensive line a soldier leapt out. Within seconds the two Militia on the ends of the lines were on their backs their spears and swords wrenched out of their grasp.

Before Niall had a chance to react, the centre of the infantry squad pushed forward and the remainder of his patrol were flanked by the two soldiers who had just disposed of the two militia on the ends.

Niall felt himself flying through the air as his spear was kicked out of his grasp. He let out a gasp as the wind blasted from his lungs. Attempting to regain his feet, he quickly froze as he saw the point of a metal sword aimed at his throat. He reached to his side for his own sword and then collapsed to the ground as he realised his scabbard was empty.

“OK.” called the Sergeant. “Back into the centre. Time to debrief.”

Niall looked up as the soldier flipped the sword and held it out to Niall hilt first. Niall blushed again as he realised his own sword had been taken from him without him even realising. He sat up and took the sword, then, with a wry grin, took the hand the soldier held out to pull him to his feet.

The remainder of the morning followed a similar pattern. Patrol Theta either attacking or defending Squad 15, being beaten, and then going at it again after a debrief. The only respite was the occasional water break.

As he got to his feet and spat out dust yet again, Niall realised the mission with the dire wolves and his relative skill compared to the other recruits had made him complacent. Now, faced with trained and battle-hardened soldiers, he was chastened but simultaneously excited. If he was going to improve further, then this is where it would happen.

It was four long hours later that Niall led his weary and dusty patrol back to their tent.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” said Huff as they trudged down a road. “Did you notice they had barely broken a sweat?”

Tierra shook her head. “And I thought I had some skills with a spear. How wrong could a girl be?”

Niall turned to face them as they reached their campsite. “I know it’s rough but, ultimately, this is good. We’re going to learn from them really fast. Anyway, for now, clean up and get some lunch. We don’t have long before we head out on patrol.”

An hour later, Patrol Theta were waiting in their campsite when Squad 15 marched in. Argon, their Squad Leader, came up to Niall. “Are your people ready?” Niall nodded. “Then let’s go.”

Side by the side, the Patrol and the Squad headed to the Western exit of the camp. As they walked, they passed the quiet area with the large tents Niall had noticed when they had first spied the Forward Base Glaive. Now he was up close, he saw there were abnormally large stables built in that area as well.

He turned to Argon who was walking next to him. “What’s that area for?”

Argon glanced over. “That’s where the Champions Cabal and the War Sage are based. Don’t worry, you’ll never have anything to do with them. Just pray you never have to see them in action.”

As Niall continued to look into the area, an entire roast pig, still on its spit was carried across the space by two burly servers. Within moments, it had disappeared into the largest tent. Niall looked away and focussed on getting his patrol out of the camp.

After showing their orders to the guards on the gate, the squad and the patrol were allowed to leave. Argon led them into the hills to the west. Over the next few hours Argon and his squad taught Niall and his patrol some of the nuances of patrolling in a war setting. It was another lesson in humility.

As they walked back Niall turned to Argon again. “I have something to confess.”

“Oh yes?” Just like he had been doing ever since they left camp, Argon did not stop from scanning the surrounding area as he spoke.

“I had braced myself for you guys looking down on us militia. But I was wrong. You’ve been nothing but welcoming and supportive.”

Argon chuckled. “Why wouldn’t we be? Many of us trained as militia at some point before we signed up, so we know what it’s like. More importantly, we know you’re not meant to be out here. Most militia do their time in the field at a permanent army camp in the middle of the country. When I did my militia training, the most dangerous thing I came across was a pair of stags fighting. I know you don’t have a choice, but you’ve been thrown into a war zone and you’re still doing your best. We’re the ones who signed up for this. Not you civilians.”

“Well, about that. Would you and your team be able to spare some time in the evenings to give our squad some extra training.” Niall ignored the soft groan that came from Huff marching behind him.

“Keen, aren’t you? Wasn’t being put on your backside all morning enough?”

“I’d rather it was you than the Bulvine.”

Argon took a moment from scanning the hills and glanced at Niall. “Let me talk to the lads. I’ll let you know.”

***

For the next few weeks, Niall fell into a rhythm. The days were officially split in two with half of it spent either patrolling the camp walls or the surrounding area, and the other half spent training with Squad 15. Argon and his colleagues had also agreed to the extra training, and either early in the morning, or in the evening, one of them would spend time with Patrol Theta, honing their skills with their weapons.

After training one morning, Sergeant Vistol called Argon and Niall over. “Gentlemen. Your next patrol will be longer range. You will be staying out overnight. Make sure your teams prepare accordingly. Squad Leader Argon, you will be in overall command. Dismissed.”

As the Sergeant walked off Niall turned to Argon. “An overnight patrol? What does that involve?”

“I’ll explain on the way. Mostly it means being tired and cold. For now, though, get your Patrol over to the Quartermaster and get yourselves overnight packs with two days of rations. You should just need your belt kit, waterskin, weapons and armour on top of that. Oh, and get yourselves a hot meal, as it’ll be the last one you’ll have until we return. No more hiding behind walls. Tomorrow we’re heading into Bulvine territory.”