Table of Contents – (spoilers)
Choke and Peep were sitting in the office of Baron Hart’s steward with the Baron, his steward, Father Gerban, and Father Morrenthall, the Baron’s newly appointed magistrate in Spitzer.
“How many soldiers do I have left in Bristlehump?” Baron Hart asked Choke.
“My lord. Seven, I believe. Assuming, of course, that no more have deserted. They are, after all completely unsupervised, my lord,” Choke answered.
“Are they really? I thought you said Brother Barrelmender, my magistrate there, was coming along. Will he not take them in hand?” Baron Hart asked, looking amused.
“My Lord. I… I am not sure. I hope so, my lord.”
“Well, let us hope one way and plan another. I have need of a reliable force in Bristlehump, that much is clear. Damn the place! A full day’s ride out into the bush, in the middle of nowhere. I’d just as soon leave it to rot. But to do that would be to abandon it to the heretic and heathen, as well as the bandits. And soon we would have a nest of trouble at our flank. So we must do the best we can. Yes?”
“Yes, my lord. I understand, my lord,” Choke said.
“Good. So, Apparitor Bartholomew, in your opinion, what are the pressing issues in Bristlehump that must be taken in hand?” Baron Hart asked him.
“My lord,” Choke said smartly, before pausing for a moment to collect his thoughts. “The town must be garrisoned. The palisade is in need of repair. The north side of the palisade at the ridge is encroached upon by the forest. That must be cleared. A proper lookout and outpost must be established across the Bristle Creek at the ridge to the east, at the Tanglefoot Trail’s trailhead. That is at a minimum, my lord.”
“Good. Good. How many men do you think are necessary to achieve that?”
“My lord, I think a minimum of two dozen. Two score would be ideal, my lord.”
“And assuming that was had, and the town was made secure to your satisfaction. What then?” Baron Hart asked.
“My lord, routine patrols must be established. The hamlet of Bristlenook, to the north, is clearly a hotbed of heresy and banditry. There is what appears to be a Solluna Union cult in operation there, as well as a potential druidic witch. This all requires proper investigation. However, dealing with this must fall to Brother Barrelmender, my lord,” Choke said.
“Agreed. Do you think he can be motivated to make himself useful in this regard?” Baron Hart asked.
Choke looked to Peep, who nodded and gave him a thumbs up.
“Yes, my lord,” Choke answered. “I believe he shall be able to marshal himself, my lord.”
“Good. Well, then, it seems to me that you have a good grip on this. I can think of no one better to take it in hand. And I am short a lieutenant. Beggars can’t be choosers. So, what say you, Apparitor Bartholomew?”
“My lord? To what?” Choke blinked.
“I need to garrison Bristlehump, man. I can raise the soldiers easily enough, but I have no spare officer to lead them. My son, my only major, presently, is off to the Alquinian front with half my force. Of what is left to me, Captain Fairchild is off to Splitrock to investigate this goblin menace with all my best. I have but one captain and two lieutenants here, and I need them with me to secure Spitzer. I could promote a sergeant, but I am loath to do that. Raising an officer from the ranks is a dodgy proposition at the best of times, and I would not send such a man off into the wilds unsupervised. So, I am left with but one solution.”
Baron Hart paused to stare at Choke for a long moment. Then he stood up and drew his sword.
“Bartholomew of Pekot, I hereby offer you a commission of lieutenant in His Royal Majesty, King Rufus III’s army. Will you accept this honor?”
“Yes! Yes, my lord, I do!” Choke practically shouted in his shock.
“Well then kneel to take the oath,” Baron Hart said, raising his sword high above Choke’s head as he dropped to his knees in front of him.
“Do you, Bartholomew of Pekot, hereby swear fealty to his Royal Majesty, King Rufus III? Do you swear to follow the lawful orders of your commanding officers? Do you swear to protect His Majesty, the King’s person, properties, and interests against all enemies within and without? Do you swear to comport yourself with the dignity and courtesy befitting an officer of the Royal Army of Strana? Do you so swear all this to our heavenly Father, Altas, and his son, Stron?”
“I do so swear, to Altas and Stron, praise them, my lord,” Choke said, raising his right hand as he did.
“Then, so sworn, I do hereby commission you a lieutenant in the Royal Strana Army. You may rise, Lieutenant,” Baron Hart said with a smile as he sheathed his sword and extended his hand to Choke to help him to his feet. Then the Baron Hart and Lieutenant Bartholomew shook hands.
Fathers Morrenthall and Gerban both applauded, although Father Morrenthall did not look particularly pleased. Peep joined in the applause shortly.
“Thank you, my lord. Thank you! I… I… thank you, my lord!” Choke said, looking like he might throw up.
“Now that I am your commanding officer, Lieutenant, you may refer to me as, Colonel, or, Sir,” Baron Hart said, clearly rather amused.
“Yes, of course, Colonel. Thank you, Colonel.”
“Do a good job in Bristlehump, and that shall be thanks enough. Yes? Good. Now, you said you have Lieutenant Dixon’s sword. If it suits you, you may keep it. You have earned it.”
“Thank you, Colonel! It does suit me, I am sure. Thank you,” Choke bowed deeply to Baron Hart.
“It’s fine. You may be seated,” the Baron Hart said as he took his own. He then continued: “Now, as to your command: your immediate superior is Captain Edison. You report to him. Your platoon shall be drawn from the fresh levy presently being trained here at the fort. Thirty spearmen. Roundshields and spears is the best we can do for your lads for the time being. You may induct your two Pekot fellows as your sergeants, if you so wish. You shall all begin drawing the appropriate pay immediately. Coordinate with Captain Edison on the particulars. Be that as it may, I should hope you will be on your way back to Bristlehump with your platoon within the week. They may be a touch green, but that cannot be helped. Yes? Any questions?” Baron Hart asked.
“Umm… Pardon me, my lord, this is all just so sudden,” Choke said.
“I quite understand, Lieutenant. Take a moment, if you need.”
“Thank you, my lord. I mean, Colonel. Ahh… what about Otilla? Is she to be a kingdom soldier as well?”
Baron Hart glanced at Father Morrenthall who shook his head tersely.
“No, Lieutenant. Otilla of the Holy Fire is no soldier. She is, of course, free to come along with you on your missions as she sees fit. As well, you may have special dispensation to hire her on as an irregular in the role of scout. Talk to Captain Edison. Yes?”
“Thank you, Colonel. And what about my position of apparitor in Bristlehump? Shall I have to resign?” Choke asked.
“I don’t see why. Given your mission, I should think holding the position is suitable. However, your duties as an officer of the Royal Army trump those of apparitor. Yes? When the two roles come into conflict, you shall have to resign as apparitor immediately. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Colonel.”
“Good. Well, then, I think that is all! A good day’s work. Now, let us get on with building upon it! Uncle, you can prepare the necessary ink work, yes? Thank you,”
Baron Hart stood up, prompting everyone else, save his uncle, to do the same. He saluted to Lieutenant Bartholomew, who returned the salute as best he could.
“Miss Otilla, a pleasure,” Baron Hart nodded to Peep, who saluted him in half-assed manner.
Baron Hart continued: “Father Morrenthall, if you feel the need, you may make use of the lieutenant for a day or two. Feel free. But, beyond that, I’d ask you to let him come to stay at the fort, so that he and his sergeants can get to work on their men. I need them in Bristlehump as soon as possible. I am sure you understand, Father.”
“I quite agree, Baron,” Father Morrenthall said, still looking rather more sour than he had before Choke’s sudden commission as lieutenant. “Rest assured; we shall all do our best. Thank you for the trust and confidence you have shown us today.”
“Think nothing of it, Father. I have need of you all. The kingdom has need of you. There is no more to be said on it. Let’s get it done. I shall brief Captain Edison about you immediately, Lieutenant. He shall be expecting you and your men when the Father here cuts you loose. I shall be off to Pinewhispers to report to my Lady. I expect to be there several days. Good day to you all.”
With this, Baron Hart turned smartly and left his uncle’s office.
***
Riding back down to the church some time later, Father Morrenthall held his peace until they were almost halfway there. Finally, though, he reined up to turn his horse into Choke’s path, who then stopped as well. Peep rode on a little before looping back around.
“Bartholomew, I really wish you had not accepted the Baron’s offer so quickly. What were you thinking?” Father Morrenthall asked tersely.
“Father? How could I have said no?” Choke stammered.
“Easily! You are a church-raised man. Employed by a Brother of the Holy Stone, no less! Some might argue that it was your religious duty to say no!”
“But, Father, he is the Baron. He… he…” Choke drifted off, confused and disturbed.
“He is but a man. A nobleman, yes. But an exceedingly minor one. You were no serf of his to be commanded!” Father Morrenthall snapped.
Peep then cut in:
“Well I didn’t hear you kicking up a fuss over it, now did I, Father? Yar the priest here, right?” she asked pointedly.
Father Morrenthall glared at her for a long moment. Then he deflated.
“Well you have me there, Otilla. You have me there,” Father Morrenthall said, his voice drifting off as he glared into a middle distance. Then he punched his leg as he exclaimed: “Damn him! He flanked me. Poached you right out from under my nose, he did. I did not expect that sort of guile from the man. Sloppy of me.”
“Father, I don’t understand,” Choke said. “Isn’t this a good thing for me? For us?”
“No Bartholomew, I think it is not a good thing for you. Or for us. You were raised to be a church man. A warrior for an order answerable only to Ban Altas. Brother Willem sent you to Brother Barrelmender for this purpose, so that you could serve the Brothers of the Holy Stone in serving the Archbishop himself, as our orders do. Not for you to be dithering around in some kingdom army,” Father Morrenthall said crossly.
“But, Father, pardon me, but it is the Royal Bitina Army, the finest military in Stroniandom, is it not?” Choke asked, doing his best to hide how upset he was.
Father Morrenthall finally relaxed and sighed. “Yes, it is that. But for all of that, it is still just a king’s army. Not a holy order. But what’s done is done. You swore your oath to Stron and Altas. So you are a Lieutenant of King Rufus III’s now. But I fear that the Baron did you no favors today. With your heritage, you will have a tough go of it. Most of your fellow officers will have spent at least some time campaigning against the Scythans. You shall not be treated well. And those black robes you wear will no longer be a shield to you. You must take them off now, Bartholomew,” Father Morrenthall said.
Choke looked down at the black robes of a battle monk that he wore over his armor, and realized that Father Morrenthall was correct: the robes had served him these long weeks like another layer of armor. They had served him well, and now he did indeed have to set them aside. He could have wept then at this realization.
“But,” Father Morrenthall went on, his tone shifting to friendly, “it is not, after all, such a terrible fate for you. A good position. And one you shall improve, I am sure. You should be proud to have earned it. You have done your order proud. Be strong and stay true to your faith and you shall continue to excel, I am sure.”
“Thank you, Father,” Choke said, blinking away the tears he could not contain.
“So, let us see this new sword of yours,” Father Morrenthall said, gesturing to the burlap wrapped weapon tied down on Choke’s saddle.
Choke soon had the sword unsheathed and handed over to him. It was a horseman’s sword, with a slight curve and a brass basket hilt with fine scroll-work. The blade was good steel. Father Morrenthall gave it a few good swings as he wheeled his horse this way and that. Then he gripped his holy symbol and said:
“Stron, grant me the sight to detect magic.”
Father Morrenthall stared intently at the weapon for a while before looking over both Choke and Peep. Then he handed the sword back to Choke.
“It is enchanted. Feels to be a measure of one to me. It shall serve you well. Put it on now, Lieutenant. We shall wait.”
While Choke untethered his old longsword from his weaponbelt to do that, Father Morrenthall continued:
“I am a little surprised that Dixon did not sell that sword, given his financial woes with the Outfit. But, perhaps, his honor was not so tarnished as all that. It is a fine weapon. An officer’s sword is his honor, after all. Wear it with pride, Lieutenant. But, do be aware that the sword may well have been a family gift. I have not heard of the Dixons that spawned our fallen lieutenant, but you might do well to research them when you can. They may not take kindly to you.”
“I understand, Father. Thank you,” Choke said.
“You shall also need a badge of rank. Officers must provide uniforms and such for themselves. But that is something we can have Mrs Dunn help you with. A pair of epaulettes, at the very least.”
“Thank you, Father. I truly appreciate your help and guidance. I am sorry if—”
“That is enough of that, Lieutenant. We shall speak no more of it. You are a Lieutenant of the King’s army, now. And one I am proud to know. We shall call this all a token of my appreciation for your coming help in bringing the Sheriff and his minion to heel. I can rely on you in this task, I trust?” Father Morrenthall asked.
“Oh, hells yeah!” Peep interjected. “We wouldn’t miss that for anything, Father.”
“Good, then let us go to the church to inform your fellows of your happy news and to make our preparations. I think I should be able to have you on your way to your duties at the fort by the day after tomorrow, at the latest.”
“Thank you, Father. It would be my honor,” Choke said.
As they rode on through town to the church, Peep spoke up:
“Father, I’m just a bit curious about what happened with the Baron today. Something about it don’t make sense.”
“I am not sure why it wouldn’t, but I am happy to help you achieve clarity on it, Otilla.”
“Thanks, Father! Well, when ye started telling the Baron all about Dixon and everything, he got real mad about it. And the way he was talking to Choke was real unfriendly, like. But then, suddenly, he turned around and offered him a job. So… what was that all about?”
“Ah. I see. Well, Otilla, this pertains to the unexpected guile in the Baron I was speaking about previously. First of all, though, when we were relating the story of Lieutenant Dixon, the Baron was acting earnestly. He did not like what he was hearing and took it as a personal insult. Do remember, that for a man like Baron Hart, soldiering is the core of his identity. For one of his officers to have behaved so disgracefully and brazenly, for so long… well, this is a disgrace for the Baron himself. It happened on his watch. As well, the implications of the corruption within his force elsewhere is a further stain upon his honor. Quite simply, he did not want to accept it, and childishly fought against doing so.
“However, as we know, there was no doubt about it. Lieutenant Dixon was dirty, and at least one man in the fort is complicit in that. Baron Hart is a good soldier and an honorable man. Once his brain caught up with his emotions, he realized that any resistance on his part would only compound his shame. Decisive action was his only course then.
“As for the Baron’s earlier rudeness to Bartholomew: that was largely born out of his initial emotional response. However, the Baron obviously has a keen eye for talent. So, at whatever point he decided that he wanted Bartholomew as Dixon’s replacement, his interaction with him became a test of him.”
“Okay, I get that. Thanks, Father! So was the Baron after Choke all along?” Peep asked.
Father Morrenthall shook his head. “No, I think not. It was an opportunistic move. And a sound one. Obviously his wife, the Lady Hart, has spoken to him of all of you, so he did not make it blindly. The Baron takes his wife’s council seriously, as any intelligent person would. As you know, she is formidable in her own right.”
“Yeah, no doubt. Okay, I think I got it. So, what’s next, Father?”
“Lunch, I think, Otilla. And then we shall deal with this debauched jailer of yours.”
“Oh, man! Today just keeps getting better and better!” Peep exclaimed happily.
With this, the unlikely trio of black-robed battle cleric, Scythan lieutenant of the King’s army, and tiny female bandit scout turned potential saint rode on to the church in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
Muse Vassal 