Chapter 8

“As your command my Lord these are the fifty best archers that I saw and this includes men from Whitebridge and Ferncombe which Sir Adams as you know has retaken”

“I wanted the fifty best archers not the fifty best archers that were men, we can’t afford to cut out people we need for the battle”

“Yes my Lord I am sorry I misspoke, as you can see some women that were hunters happened to be chosen”

Jake and Brent were standing in front of the newly formed company of archers, formed by going around to all there settlements. Most were hunters and as such were not used to battle such as these. There cloths were mostly different shades of brown and dirt.

“As your Lord I name you this lands first company of archers or the first archer company with your first mission being protecting your homeland!”

The crowed of archers cheered in response, everyone here had come here as volunteers. In front of their group Sir Adam, per command by Jake, was teaching the nearly 200 troops the Viking shield wall. After the talk with the voice in the white room Jake had thought back on medieval shows such as Vikings and The Last Kingdom to use what they did. It had taken some time and a number of men to use as a live example but now was able to teach everyone else.

“Brent will be your Captain so any orders I give he sees then acts them out. There is most likely less than three week until they attack and they will have more troops then we have but there is a difference between us and them. While they sit idle we will train to become better so when they come that fated day we will be the ones left”

Another cheer and they walked behind Brent as he followed Jake into the woods. On their side two “teams” battled as one group attack and the other defended behind a shield wall. Even beyond them dozen riders under the command of Michael practiced moving their horses between the trees. In total close to three hundred troops were now training in the area behind the keep but due to the sheer size it accounted for only a fraction of the space.

More than just the fighters the blacksmiths were making armor, bows and arrows were being made. Everything that would be need was being produced at the quickest pace possible while still keeping quality. Now slightly in the forest stood a half dozen straw-men on top of a wooden board with three others a few feet apart, a long rope extended out of each one with three men each at the end.

“In order to win we have to be smarter and different that is why from now until the battle you all will be in the trees with cloaks firing from up top. Since this is so new the dummies will be here to practice. The cloaks that are handed to you are just so you get used to it, later new cloaks will be green with leaves and branches attached”

After a moment Brent called for everyone to get up into the trees and they began their training. This was only one part of four and it was time to see to the most secret group out of them all. Groups were separating and switching places when Jake got back into the infantry area Sir Adam was already walking over to him.

“Where are they and how many made the cut?”

“Slight more than twenty and they all had what you asked for: Experience in stealing or sneaking based on asking around of the guards”

All the men gave a different air then those so far, sitting around on the ground joking to each other even some with scars on their face from well learned lessons to do better next time.

“Do you want us to steal something or to sneak by someone?”

One of the younger guys with short brown hair asked with a tone of superiority and all-knowing of what was going to be ask of them. The rest of the men said nothing and a few even gave the man dirty looks. Just like the other villagers they had been freed from the former Kings rule. Jake walked based the others on the ground and bent down, his eyes piercing into the other man

“No I want you all to kill people”

With a voice loud enough for all of them to hear their reactions were mixed: shock, confused, to even grins. Unable to keep eye contact anymore the man looked at the ground instead.

“Later you will be getting what you be wearing to be battle but for now you will all practice what should come naturally to you: Taking things without being seen and if you really good painting on someone”

“When do we start?”

The man who spoke Jake could tell even with just those words had something about him that all the others seemed to be missing. If a word had to be given to what he felt coming off the man only one thing came to mind: Acceptance. His place in the world and the person he was he accepted fully and was stronger than most men because of it. Long, jet black hair tied behind his back his expertly toned body from a hard, well-traveled life.

“What is your name?”

“Remi my lord”

“Well Remi besides for some others just this group will be training at night and after one week one if you will be chosen to lead this squad that has yet to be named. This will be decided by how much you steal from guards and other troops, whoever steals the most and paints strips on someone (to indicate attacks)”

The new squad did not rise until Jake left when Sir Adams told them to sleep what they could right now because they would be up all night. Where they were was a huge piece of land overlooking everyone training, some tents were set up in order for some to rest in between their work

“My Lord it seems we have an expected development, a number of your troops wish to solely train and, at least for now, stop working on the jobs they have”

“That is fine, in fact expect more to choose to do so and make sure extra food and tents set up before they get here and tell the village’s everyone who will fight be here the day before. Out of the ones that are here already are any that would be producing things needed?”

“Only a small number but one blacksmith has been here since the start and has refused to leave”

Pointing over to the infantry section of the camp so that Jake could see who it was, he followed Sir Adams finger leading to a huge main well over six feet tall. Muscles so large he even left embarrassed about himself, looking close at him even with his bad eyesight Jake noticed that the weapon he was carrying in one hand seemed larger than average.

“He is very impressive but we need him working the forges, tell him that I want him to make me a suit of armor along with a weapon that is not too heavy. What is Michaels report on the progress they were making before he had to leave?”

“Before they found him unrest was mounting and there was even a protest but it seems Kara has had even better results which I have no doubt have only gotten better with the rest of the squad coming to her”

Leaving Jake alone besides for his two personal guards Sir Adams mad his way down and around until he got near the blacksmith. Sir Adams guard pulled him aside and brought him over to the commander. Unable to hear what they were saying he watched as Sir Adams spoke to him for a moment before he placed his hand on the blacksmiths shoulder and pointed up top to Jake. Jake waved when he did and the in response a huge wave with both of his huge arms then quickly left with his sword.

Everything that could be done was now in place and all that was left was it wait for Jake. Even with the women’s support in the fight giving them what Sir Adam expected to be close to 500 if not more they would be outnumbered by a force with hundreds of more troops. Whoever leads the bandits might very well have more experience than anyone else that will be there so these special squads were the special thing that would make the difference. Standing over hundreds of troops as there Lord this would be his first battle and a great one.