Chapter 13: Conditions

Jerry entered the command tent with the rest of the party, or what was left of it. The command tent was a mess with books unorganized, scrolls scatter about, paper on the floor, and the map laid out on the table with many things on it. There were only 2 people manning the command tent from what Jerry could see.

The first one was what seemed to be a very young man with round glasses. He carried around documents, books, and scrolls in his hands He was short, and seemed to be in good shape, but with no outstanding features. He seemed about an average build while not being super fat, nor super buff and had short hair.

The second man was a large, hulking mass of man with heavy armor. He was a bit tan, with black hair, and a refined face. He was lurched over a table with a map on it.

“Falk, we have guests. Look sharp” The man in armor said.

“Y-Yes, Commander Reeves” The young man with glasses said.

“Welcome to our humble tent As you can see, it’s not in the… best of conditions but it’s what we have now.” The man in armor said.

“It is fine, Commander” Larmen said, as he took several steps forward.

“Is it you Larmen? A messenger told me of your arrival yesterday. We couldn’t do anything about the mess. But please, don’t call me Commander. Please, call me Reeves. And that man over there is Falk.”

“Nice to meet you, Reeves, Falk.”

Jerry and the others stayed silent throughout the conversation. However, Jerry could catch glimpses of Reeve’s eyes looking at him. It was kinda creepy in Jerry’s opinion on how Reeve’s eyes shot at him.

Jerry decided to step up after Larmen greeted the both of them.

“What’s the situation here?” Jerry asked.

“Not good” Reeves said.

“We haven’t been able to find cattle in the forests anymore”

Jerry thought about what Reeves said.

‘Cattle? Forest? No one is supplying them?’

“By that, do you mean you are hunting animals in the forest?” Jerry asked.

“That is right. These forests are usually have a large amount of animals that we can hunt and eat” Reeves replied.

“Why?”

“Because there is no other way”

“Do you have salt?”

“Yes? Why?”

“We’ll get to that later. How many men do we have?”

“Not much. We have 2000 Infantry, 500 Archers, 300 Cavalry and 100 Mages ready to fight. We also have 700 wounded.”

“What are we up against?”

“We’re mostly against Infantry but the occasional arrow barrage, horses, and magic do get sent flying at us.”

“How often?”

“Every few battles I guess”

“Any problems between the men?”

“The swords are getting dulled, and armor is getting more scarce. The supplies should be coming soon”

“How’re their morale?”

“It’s pretty low. Talks of desertion have been heard but no one has done it yet”

“Are they volunteers?”

“All of them are”

“Good. Get me some pen and paper”

“Why?”

“I’m going to send a letter to the king to deliver you from your food shortage, morale, and equipment problems”

“As if you could. What would you tell the king?”

“Words. Now, pen and paper”

Reeves sighed before handing Jerry the pen and paper.

Jerry took the pen and paper and laid it out on the table, thinking about what he was going to write.

“So, nothing other than armor is being sent up here?” Jerry asked.

“Nothing else” Reeves replied.

“How not to wage a war” Jerry mumbled under his breath.

Jerry wrote down the things that he needed and how to do it. Food, medical supples, reinforcements, everything. Jerry needed to make things happen if he wanted to turn this war around.

Jerry finished the letter and handed it to Reeves.

“Send someone to get it to the Royal Kingdom. Let the king know it’s from Jerry.” Jerry said while handing it to Reeves.

“I understand. This better work or my trust will have betrayed me. Please wait here.” Reeves said.

Reeves soon left the tent and Jerry bent his back, stretching.

“W-What was that?” A voice said.

Jerry looked to his left to see Falk.

“It’s a secret. You’ll see when it comes” Jerry said.

Jerry decided to check the men out and their equipment. He put his backpack down in the command tent and walked towards the exit but as he was about to walk out, he was stopped by Scharla.

“Where are you going? He said to wait here.” She said.

“I’m going outside”

“No you’re not. You’re waiting here.”

“Yes I am, and you can fuck off” Jerry said as he continued to walk outside

Jerry left the tent, feeling Scharla’s sharp gaze following him as he left.

He looked around, looking for someone to talk to and found some people by a tent doing nothing other than a thousand yard stare. He approached them, and tried to ask them questions.

“Hey there guys, I got a few questions to ask” Jerry said.

“Who’re you?” The man said.

“Don’t worry about it! Now, what are you guys? Infantry, Archers, or Cavalry?

A man in armor that covered his entire chest stood up and looked at Jerry. After an awkward silence, he sighed then spoke.

“I’m Infantry” He said. He then pointed to a man with leather armor.

“He’s an Archer” He then pointed to a man with armor that covered his chest, and legs.

“He’s Cavalry” He said before crossing his arms.

“I see. Can you guys show me your equipment? I’d like to assess the situation” Jerry said.

“Look, we did something you asked, now do what I asked. Who are you?” The Infantryman said.

“My name is Jerry, I’ve been sent by the King to help you all.”

“The King? Ha, that’s the first time in 3 years since he came and help us. Alright, fine, I’ll bite and show you what we have.”

“If he’s in, I might as well do it as well” Said the Archer as he stood up.

“Same here” The Cavalryman said as he also stood up.

“Splendid. After you” Jerry said.

The men then went into the tent they stood outside of and then came out 30 seconds later, in their gear.

“Follow us” The infantryman said.

As they were walking, The Infantryman spoke to Jerry.

“Like I said before, I’m an Infantryman. I have a steel chest piece, and helmet. Anything else, and it’s a waste. I have a sword and shield like all my other brothers.” The Infantryman said.

“I on the other hand, wear leather armor since I stay in the back lines usually. So, no armor needed. I got a bow like others like me.” The Archer said.

“I however ride with a bit more armor than the others. I have a noble horse that will take me into battle and strike my enemies. I have a lance, sword, and a shield.” The Cavalryman said.

“I see” Jerry said. Soon, they arrived on the outskirts of the camp.

“I will fetch my horse. These other two will show you their moves.” The Cavalryman said.

As the Cavalryman left, the Infantryman looked at Jerry.

“Ready?” He asked

“Yep” Jerry replied

The Infantryman walked to a dummy and got into a fighting stance, shield flat in front, and sword at the ready to his left, pointing up. He raised his sword above his head, brought his shield down and brought it down, striking the dummy’s head. He then reverted back into his fighting stance. He then backed up a bit and then did a similar strike but did a diagonal cut.

He then went back into his fighting stance and brought his shield down and stabbed repeatedly, then stopped.

“That’s what I can do” He said before backing away for the dummy.

Jerry nodded and looked at the archer.

“Umm, I’m able to shoot things straight and in the air. That’s it. I don’t do much other than support” He said.

“Oh. How accurate are you?” Jerry asked.

“Pretty accurate. I guess.” The Archer said

“Does everyone else have the same accuracy?”

“Just about yea. I’m above average.”

Just then, the Cavalryman came back.

“I have returned with my horse. I am ready to demonstrate my skills.” He said.

“Is every Cavalryman like this?” He asked the Infantryman.

“Just about” He said.

“What?” The Cavalryman asked.

“Nothing. Please demonstrate your skills” Jerry said as he gestured to the dummy.

“With pleasure”

The Cavalryman took his sword out from his sheath and then charged towards the dummy and then readied his sword by holding it behind him. As he got towards the dummy, he did an underhand strike, striking the dummy in the head.

He then turned his horse around, sheathed his sword, and took his spear out from the pouch on the saddle. He then brought it to a couched position and charged at the dummy. When it struck the dummy, a audible thump could be heard.

“That is what I can do.” He said.

Just then, Reeve’s voice can be heard behind Jerry.

“I thought I told you to stay in the command tent, Jerry” Reeves said.

The three men then went into attention, standing straight.

“Well, I wanted more information. What can I say? Staying in a tent won’t give me information.” Jerry said as he turned around to face Reeves.

Reeves sighed.

“I sent the messenger. He should arrive at the palace in 3 days” Reeves said

“Excellent. We can expect the supplies in 20 days.”

“Come with me back to the command tent. We need to discuss things”

They both walked back to the command tent where the rest of the party was waiting.

“Now, I need help with managing this army. I’m too exhausted to keep on going.” Reeves said.

‘We just met him and he’s gonna retire? This could be my chance to make a name for myself’

“I volunteer” Jerry said immediately

“What? Do you know what this means? The responsibilities that ent-”

“Yes, I know. I’ve done it before” Jerry said. He was half-lying. He did lead troops on Earth before. He was an okay leader usually keeping his men alive while keeping them alive. However, this was medieval type combat. It was very different from what he was used to.

Reeves sighed.

“Alright, Jerry. It’s all yours. Larmen, any objections” Reeves said.

“None here” Larmen responded.

“Great. I will now take my leave. I will be back in uhh. 60 days.” Reeves said.

“60 Days? Are you nuts?” Jerry screamed.

“You said you’d take care of it. So, take care of it”

Jerry’s expectations of Reeves were let down. He expected more from the commander.

“We will make an announcement of the change now. Please get ready” Reeves said as he left the tent.

“Good job at the promotion, Jerry.”

Jerry sighed.

“Larmen. You any good at riding horses?” Jerry asked.

“Fantastic actually. I can ride them with my eyes closed!” Larmen bragged.

“Scharla, you good at magic?”

“What? You think this staff is for show?”

“Elizabeth, you good at a sword?”

“O-Of course you coward!”

“Janice, you good at archery?”

“Y-Yes”

“Fantastic! I have roles assigned to everyone!”

“What? You think you’re going to command me?” Scharla said.

“You know Scharla, stop being a bitch for once. The only thing I’ve heard come from your mouth is a complaint. What’s your problem hmm? We’re at war now. Tell me your problems now, or forever hold your peace yea?” Jerry snapped. He had enough of Scharla’s ridicules and broke.

“I-It’s that you’re a lowly creature that can’t use magic! You’re a coward that cheated at the Arena and I don’t understand why they would let someone like you commander!” Scharla fired back.

“Well Scharla, for one, my magic capabilities are irrelevant as I wiped that bandit ambush at the road without the use of magic. Second, it was a light tap to the head that for some reason Larmen could not handle”

“Hey! It was a bit harder than you think okay?” Larmen interrupted.

“Sure. And Third, I don’t need magic to command an army.”

Scharla sighed

“Fine, I guess I’ll follow to your commands for now while we’re still here” Scharla said

“Great. Any other complaints from anyone else?” Jerry said as he looked around the party.

No one raised their hands however.

“Good. Now, let’s start. For one, you all are going to command a brach of this army. Larmen, you will take the cavalry forces. Scharla, the mages. Janice, the Archers. And Elizabeth, the Infantry. During this time, you will bond with your troops, and train them. Any questions so far?”

Elizabeth raised her hand

“Yes?” Jerry said

“What will we teach them?” Elizabeth asked.

“Anything and everything. How to strike properly, techniques, tips, and all the sort. Things that’ll keep them alive”

“I understand”

“Good. Now, to address the morale problems, I have to ask of you girls to do your best. Larmen, you’re fine”

“What do you mean by that?” Larmen asked.

“Don’t worry about it. Larmen, wait outside for now. I need to talk to the girls here”

“Okay?” Larmen said as he left the room.

“Okay, I need you guys to be seductive in a nutshell”

“I’m sorry?” Scharla asked.

“These guy’s morales are at rock bottom. Give them something to fight for.”

“W-What do I do?” Janice asked.

“I want to be useful” She added.

“Just tell the men about yourselves and add the words ‘Please do your best to see you outside this war’ or something like that” Jerry said.

“I-I see”

“Bastard, what’re you trying to make her do?!” Elizabeth said.

“I’m trying to make the morale raise. Elizabeth, drop the hard act. I need you to do it as well. You have the bulk of the army.” Jerry said.

“Why do I have to lead the Infantry?!” Elizabeth asked

“Stop shouting and to answer your question, you’re a swordswoman, and they’re a swordsman. Try to make their swords raise to pledge to you?” Jerry said sarcastically.

“Bastard, that’s not even funny!” Elizabeth said.

“I’m here to entertain myself. Not you”

“Any other complaints? Scharla?”

“No problem here. I did say I’d follow you. Besides, this can be a good way to show off to Larmen” She said.

Just then, the two other women looked at Jerry sharply and in sync said the words “I’ll do it!”.

Jerry took note before dismissing them

“Do your best” Jerry said as they left.

Jerry then turned around to look at Falk.

“So, tell me. What tactics did they use to attack us?” Jerry asked.

“U-Uh, they just rush us” Falk said timidly

“Aww, don’t act so timid. Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.”

“R-Right”

“Alright, catch ya later.” Jerry said as he left the tent.

“Jerry, come here.” Reeves said as Jerry was leaving the tent.

“What?” Jerry asked, walking towards Reeves.

“When I call your name, walk onto the stage and give a good speech okay?”

“Right, well, hurry up”

“Alright, I’ll sound the horn now”

Reeves stepped into the open area with what seemed to be a horn on a pole and blew into it. A loud and audible horn can then be heard and men’s armor rattling as they head towards the sound. Reeves then got onto stage, and started his department speech.

Jerry went towards the party that was standing outside near the command post.

“When I call your name, walk up the stage, and introduce yourself. Larmen, act noble and proud. Show everything off but find a thin line between asshole and humble.”

“What?” Larmen asked.

“Just show off, but not too much”

“Oh”

“Elizabeth, just be happy and not an asshole on these guys. You can change the tide of the war”

“I’m sorry?”

“Just follow my orders.”

“Whatever”

Jerry walked away from the party and towards the stage.

“And I would like to introduce my replacement, Commander Jerry” Reeves said as he gestured towards Jerry.

Jerry then stepped onto the stage, and faced the men.