Part II: Spring

Chapter Eight

The warm smell of fresh enetonic drifted through the barracks. The mug was lifted to Klyde's lips, and then she lowered her arm back down till it was perpendicular to her body. Her other hand was pressed flat against her back as she walked slowly, deliberately, down the line of beds. Every one was made, the blankets pressed smoothly and pillows fluffed, and at the end of each stood a recruit at the position of attention. Klyde reached the end of the aisle and started down the next. Once she reached the door, she stopped, sipped her enetonic- a concoction by Jemma full of energy and focus enhancing herbs- and nodded.

"Captain, take them all out into the courtyard. I've news."

Brun nodded. "All of you, fall out and fall-in in the courtyard!"

Klyde started down a side passage, hearing the trodding of eighty troops double-timing it down the hall. By the time she reached the courtyard, two platoons stood in front of her- four rows, or squads, each, with ten recruits per row. Klyde started down each, saying a few words here and there- menial pleasantries, to make them feel welcome- and nodded to her four sergeants, two per platoon- soldiers she had borrowed from the army: Perth, a stand-in till she found someone to replace him; Morra, an old fellow; Dwyn, a dwarf with military sense; and Elluna Tabris, an elf whose battle experience shone in her eyes. These were her sergeants, and Perth doubled as captain of second platoon when needed. Klyde marched back to the front of the formation, thinking back to the first time- she'd had only fifty or sixty then, as well as a loan from the outcast Bann Teagan of Redcliffe for provisions, and had been nervous out of her skin. Her voice had squeaked so much.

Now, it was natural to lead the formation. She had spent all winter and autumn with them, teaching them to march in formation, drill, be responsible for their goods, and getting them in shape with daily exercises. They had taken turns on watch, learned how to be respectful, and would soon graduate from recruit to private- that ceremony took place today.

"Now, I want you all to listen up, and listen well," Klyde said, using her command voice. She had found that sounding like she was a figure of authority got her the treatment of a figure of authority. "Today, you pledge yourselves if you are staying in this company. Over the past two seasons, you have gone from spring-green recruit to dispositioned privates, but you still aren't battle-hardened or even taught how to use a sword. There is a reason for that: I want to know your loyalties stand here before I educate you on the use of a weapon or depend on you in battle. I am not asking you to pledge to me, to Ferelden, or even to the Chantry. I am asking you to pledge to the mages, though you will swear fealty to me as your commander. Your task, as you have known, is to protect them- from themselves, and from the outside- while they learn to wield magic properly. Let me be very clear: you are not templars, this is not a religious organization, and you will be allowed to leave after an eighteen-month contract. Am I understood?"

"Aye!" collectively echoed around the courtyard, bouncing off the walls. Klyde grinned.

"Then I will have each of you pledge as a whole, in your platoons now. If any of you notice someone not pledging, you have every right to call them out afterward. Now then, are there any protests? Does anyone here wish to leave? Right now is the moment for such- after this, we name corporals and sign contracts."

Klyde silenced, waiting a moment, and looked around. Her cohort consisted of dwarves, elves, humans, even a few qunari- she felt so proud at that moment.

"Alright, now to pledge. Repeat when I pause. I pledge myself dutifully and loyally to the mages of Thedas,"

This they repeated enthusiastically and loudly.

"To protect them from themselves, and from outsiders. I will not be unfair to them, abuse them, or take advantage of their vulnerability. I will act with duty, purpose, and honor. I am a Dalesman, and represent the Dalesmen. I swear fealty to Serah Klyde Trevelyan and the mages under my protection. I will obey my superiors, and respect those beneath and alongside my rank, and will act accordingly. I am willful but not defiant, strong but not destructive, brave but not naive, confident not cocky, and these gifts I shall use as best I can. This I pledge."

This all was repeated, and then Klyde nodded. "Good. At this time, are there any who did not pledge?"

Silence followed her words, and the recruits remained at attention. Pleased, Klyde nodded once more and cast a quick hand signal to Brun where she stood off to the left. The Qunari bowed her head and then straightened and marched to the front next to Klyde.

"Sergeants," Brun called, "Take command of your platoons. First platoon is to run the west track along the river, second platoon the east. Return to the mess hall before mid-morn-sun. Once everyone has eaten, fall into formation and march single-file to the back, where you will sign your contracts. Before marching your troops, ascertain they are ready for this contract. Any questions can be answered when faced with signing. Understood?"

A bellowed yes ma'am rang through the courtyard, followed by marching commands, and the platoons moved out. They had scarcely exited the portcullis before Klyde heard them called to double-time. Brun, Klyde's single captain, approached, shadowed by Jemma, who posed as Klyde's assistant and was treasurer for the company.

"My lady," Brun said, "Are you sure they're ready for this? We could begin their training in the summer-"

"And have them sweat themselves so much they can't lift a blade?" Klyde waved off the suggestion. "We'll start in the spring. We march at the solstice."

"March?!" Brun repeated, sounding amazed, "To where?"

Klyde started back toward the main building of their fortress, flanked by Brun and Jemma. "The mages may have switched allegiance but nonetheless they will need our assistance soon. We have a campaign in Orlais, one I think is enough to finish shaping up our recruits while simultaneously being gentle enough to leave us some recruits. The campaign won't outlast the season, in fact it's planned to only take a fortnight. That's a month total- we leave the day after the solstice, take a week to get there, two weeks there, one week to travel back. Afterward, I'm putting you in charge of the company while I go visit the Inquisition."

Brun and Jemma froze. They had just reached the door. Klyde pivoted, her hands behind her back, and smiled at them both as Brun said, "Klyde, that's- that's a terrible idea. I understand the mages so quickly went from waiting for us to Tevinter to the Inquisition, but you can't march to the gates of the biggest organization in Thedas and, and what? Demand a meeting with the Inquisitor? Steal back the mages? We don't even have a stronghold for them-"

"-And the Inquisition does. The Inquisition can help us, they have excessive manpower, footholds across all southern Thedas, and the mages' friendship and trust. If we're to set up this partnership with mages, it can't be in such a way as to march up to them, say it's their only option, and then expect them to follow us. However, they trust the Inquisition. If I can speak to the leader and get the Inquisitor to trust us, then we may just be able to make this work. On top of that, we can pool resources with the Inquisition to build schools around Thedas and spread ourselves out."

"We're a force of eighty-four, Klyde," Jemma pointed out, "Hardly strong enough for this to work. We simply aren't big enough yet."

"We will be," Klyde assured her. "Give it time. Right now, we need to at least propose the idea, make certain this will even be a plausible idea. So far, we have a stronghold and a company, even if it's a one-cohort company. Recruiting season this coming autumn could double our size, and by then, we'll have schools built so that we can begin moving out troops. Thirty-forty a school should be sufficient, so that's two schools per recruiting season. Now we need resources to build schools and access to the mages, that's two things at least that the Inquisition could supply us."

"Do you even know anything about the Inquisitor?"

"Well, no, but we've plenty of time to find out what we can, don't we?"

Early afternoon sun shone through the large oak's branches, whiting parts of the papers stacked on the desk, as the recruits began to move around the corner in single file. At the front of Eniken, a tall, dark-haired boy Klyde had seen potential in from the start. He was from a farm, if she remembered correctly, and was humorous but practical, and confident almost to a fault. He approached the desk first and the platoons were called to maritime, and then halt.

"You are able to read and write, correct?" Klyde asked. He nodded. "Good. You may want to review this while you have a moment."

The boy's steel eyes read through the contract at a slow but steady pace, and then he rested the paper and signed his name in drawn-out calligraphy. He set down the pen and Klyde moved the paper to a new stack. She nodded at him and he saluted, and unexpected gesture she presumed would become tradition.

"Welcome to the Dalesman, Private Eniken Catherby."

He lowered his salute. "Where to now, my lady?"

"Directly to your right there is a footpath. Follow it around the corner of that building, grab a training sword from the rack, and go see Captain Brun."

He nodded, pivoted, and walked away. The next recruit appeared, a blonde girl with heavily freckled cheeks, from Honnleath if Klyde remembered correctly. Klyde repeated the process with her, and a moment later with the next, and so it went for a long spring afternoon. The day waned on and her voice was strained and her throat dried; before she was halfway through the line, she heard the clash of training swords that meant Brun had taught the first squad basic weapon drill and now had them practicing. She wondered if they had had enough bows to make a squad of archers.

The sun was grazing the treetops by the time Klyde had the last recruit sign, and she let that one go practice weapons. She stood finally and passed the contracts to Jemma, who nodded and walked away to store them in Klyde's office. Klyde herself followed the same footpath, hardened dirt pressed into a path by two seasons of use, and entered the largest courtyard of the stronghold. She moved to parade rest, her eyes skimming the newly-named privates. Already, Brun had the ones that had been there for hours teaching the new ones. Some were learning blade management and others were learning maneuvers. It was a good lesson to teach them even to take care of wooden practice swords. This way later on they'd be ready and willing to care for real swords.

"They're shaping up nicely, don't you think?"

Klyde looked over to see it was Sergeant Morra who spoke. His hair was a salt-n-pepper color, cropped close to his scalp, and he had no facial hair aside from a carefully-groomed mustache. His eyes were a dark forest green and he had multiple small scars across his face and neck. She nodded at his question. "They learn fast."

"We taught them how to learn, and in only two seasons. Though several of them sag from the weight of those wooden swords, and that's after us exercising them daily."

Klyde waved off the comment. "Daily practice with the training swords will get them strong enough to handle a lighter, more balanced weapon when the time comes. Care for these swords will also teach them how to properly care for their stuff."

"I agree. It's a good tactic. Tell me, if you will, how did you learn so much about military tactics and training?"

Klyde grinned. "Not so long ago, I was a recruit myself, in Ferelden's army. On my trip back to Ferelden from Wycome, I spent a short time with a mercenary company. From all of this I learned a lot about leading a force, as well as being in that force. Lead from the front, but know the view from the back. And what of you? What's your history?"

Sergeant Morra ran a hand over his lightly-stubbled jaw. "I spent most of my life as a soldier. I took a ten-year contract with the Fereldan army and they found my talents best suited to training, so I joined several mercenary companies throughout the years, and now, here I am. I had been training Bann Teagan's men prior to joining you; once he regained Redcliffe, he thought it suiting that I help you out."

Klyde nodded. "We're glad to have you, sergeant. You have been a great help. The other sergeants are good, but not as experienced."

"You divided us well, though. Putting an experienced soldier like Perth over first platoon with Dwyn as his second gives the balance of compassion and hard-ass that first platoon has proven to need. Giving me second platoon with Elluna as my second has worked seemingly easier than first platoon, but it's partially because I'm used to training and Elluna is open-minded and charismatic. She inspires the recruits- she's not a big girl, or much older than them, but she still holds experience beyond her years and she and I have a good communication."

Klyde cocked one eyebrow. "Not too good, I hope?"

Morra laughed. "No, not at all! She wants love someday, but she's taken me as more of an uncle figure than anything more, and my wife passed five years ago this fall, I'm not seeking any romance."

Klyde nodded. "I see. Keep an eye on Elluna, will you? She's a good junior sergeant, and I don't want to lose her to some foolhardy romance. In fact, make sure all of the females are under careful watch, the males too. They're allowed to dally with each other if they so desire, but they must remember they're here as soldiers, and I'll have no romantic heroics in my cohort."

"Spoken like a true commander. Speaking of, I know you approve of being addressed as Lady Klyde, commander, or even Serah, but you must take a title of some sort. While Lady Klyde suggests nobility, you're a Marcher noble, of no importance here. Moreover, 'Lady' makes you sound more feminine. Lord Klyde could work."

Klyde shook her head. "I am feminine, sergeant, very much so. I still kick ass, however. Now, enough chit-chat. Go tell Sergeant Perth it's time to get the recruits in for dinner, but before they can eat, we're having a meeting just outside the mess hall."

Morra nodded. "Yes, my lady."

He strode away. Lord Klyde- why would I go by Lord? Klyde shook her head; men could be so silly sometimes. She watched as the cadets filed out of the courtyard and to the mess hall. Once they had left, she slipped inside and found the rank bars. With these in hand, she returned outside and made her way to the privates where they were formed up. She nodded to them and came to stand front and center.

"You have all been a temporary corporal or something of the sort multiple times throughout your time here. This has been observed by your sergeants, Captain Brun, and myself, and we've come to a decision. There will be two corporals per platoon. The first in a squad is the squad leader, second is junior squad leader. Should anything happen to a corporal, the first squad leader will fall into their place, junior squad leader will fall in for squad leader, and a new junior squad leader will be appointed. Corporals, you are responsible for your platoons. There will be days when you alone will train both platoons, one platoon, a single private, or what have you. Now then, the corporals for first platoon: Jayna and Widdin."

The two stepped forward. Jayna was a dark-haired elf from Kirkwall; she had a steady disposition and an easy command voice. Klyde placed the corporal rank bars on the collar of Jayna's uniform. Jayna saluted, executed an about face, and moved to stand directly to the right of Sergeant Perth. Widdin stepped forward; Widdin was a medium-skinned human man with curly hair and amber eyes; he was easy-going and strong, and had stood up to confront issues before, even being so bold as to approach Brun with a suggestion on how to merge platoons for training. He may even be better than Jayna, but that was for a later day. He moved back to stand next to Sergeant Dwyn.

"The corporals from second platoon will be Eneken and Hollis."

Eneken stepped forward first and Klyde placed the ranks on his uniform. He saluted and then moved to stand next to Sergeant Morra, who gave him an eye-twinkling congratulatory smile and a clap on the back. Hollis, a fair-haired dwarf girl, stepped forward with a grin threatening to break through her composed face. Klyde placed the rank on her uniform and was saluted, and then the dwarf went to stand next to Elluna, who gave her a short grin before returning to attention.

"From front to rear, first platoon squad leaders are: Berwin, Katya, Plet, and Norin. Second platoon: Jessik, Partha, Delfa, and Tromlys. Junior squad leaders for first platoon: Vanik, Sabbem, Lorella, and Hannib. Second platoon junior squad leaders are Kelfa, Stella, Brunby, and Torr. Good luck, get in positions, and remember you are responsible for those under you, but you are also responsible not to treat them as underlings outside of formation. Be respectful, and go eat. Corporals will join sergeants in my hall." She switched from projection to a command voice. "Fall out!"

The platoons stepped back and then turned and headed inside the building, all chattering excitedly. The corporals and sergeants gathered around and followed as Klyde moved to the secondary dining hall, a small room with a single long wooden table. When she entered, a warm fire already blazed, likely courtesy of Jemma. The group sat down at the table and a momentary awkward silence commenced at the arrival of newcomers. Klyde sat with Jemma to her left and Brun to her right, and beyond those two were Perth and Morra, Dwyn and Elluna, then Eneken, Jayna, Widdin, and Hollis. Food was brought in a moment later, and the silence was considerable less awkward when dampened by the sound of silverware and chewing. Once everyone had eaten enough to dull their hunger and slow, Klyde leaned back.

"Now, there is a reason I'm having corporals eat in here. Before the summer is over, a trip will be made to visit the Inquisition. This is private news, not to be shared with those outside the room."

"My lady," Sergeant Perth spoke up, "I've heard much about the Inquisition. Are you sure it's wise to go there? They may see us as a threat."

"If we succeed, they'll hear of us eventually, and likely see us as a threat somehow regardless. We still have to properly speak to King Alistair about rights to build an army on his land. I've heard much about him and he should be okay with it, but nonetheless, he may see us as a threat as well. As for the Inquisition, we need their cooperation. Now, my plan is to bring two corporals and a junior sergeant. This means one platoon will need their remaining corporal to step up and become junior sergeant while I'm gone, and their first squad leader to become corporal. Only temporary ranks, of course."

"Why wait so long?" Sergeant Elluna spoke up. "Wouldn't it make more sense to go before wasting any extra time?"

Klyde brushed bread crumbs off her hands. "Perhaps. We are signed on to a campaign in two month's time, that being three weeks of wooden sword training and then five weeks of proper blade and shield training. The campaign is simple- rid some field of brigands attacking. It won't be longer than a fortnight. I have a full report on the area, as well as a map showing where the brigands frequent. They're thought to be a force of maybe sixty, meaning we outnumber them and likely outsupply them, once Jemma has finished provisioning. After this campaign, we will begin heading back this way, and then my group will turn away from the rest at the mountains, as the Inquisition is based there. A letter will be sent ahead of time to open correspondence with the Inquisitor so he or she is not completely unprepared for our arrival and negotiations. Is this understood?"

"Perfectly," Sergeant Morra answered. "Is this is also why you timed things as you did in training?"

"Why else would I schedule things as I have?" Klyde asked. "I've discussed this all with Brun. Once I return from the Inquisition, for better or worse, we will begin recruiting. I will need a sergeant and junior sergeant not involved with the trip to go to different areas to recruit new soldiers."
"My lady, not to interrupt," Eniken said, "But won't all the changes of leadership be somewhat confusing for the privates? I respect your decisions and it's a well thought-out plan, but it also poses a threat to the easy comprehension of privates to their superiors."

"I see your point," Klyde allowed, "But out on the field, command can change at any point, as higher-ups fall and lower ranks are given no choice but to step up. This also allows more cadets to fill in the positions of leadership they don't otherwise see. We will rotate squad leaders over time, but not this first year, aside from those who fill in for absentees. Now, as I was saying before, we have multiple candidates to come with me. A party of four, however, may be insufficient. We have to prove to the Inquisition that we're a strong force, but without imposing. We will also take a private from each platoon. Corporals, I'll let you convene on who should come from each platoon, and once you have a decision, confer with your junior sergeant. If your junior sergeant approves, see if your sergeant does, and if he does, bring the information to Captain Brun. Also remember, what is discussed here stays here, and is not to go back to the others. You are corporals now, elevated past the ranks of your friends and those you trained with. You may still talk to them and remain friends, but you must watch what you say."

"Yes ma'am," came the reply from all four.

The rest of the dinner resumed with normal conversation and jokes, and then Klyde retreated to her quarters for bed. She stripped from her armor and took a warm bath, letting the sweat of the day dissolve into the water. After she had bathed enough that the herbs in the water seemed to have etched their scent into her, she stood and tied on a robe. She moved to her bed and sat down, but stood quickly at the sound of paper crinkling. She looked down to see she had sat on an envelope. Lifting it, Klyde saw the dark wax bore no seal. She could've sworn the bed was bare only minutes before. Strange. Klyde opened the letter, and what she found within amazed her:

Dearest Klyde,

It is with great honor that I write to thee, given your present status. Somehow you've elevated in the world, raising yourself to the status of colonel. News of your present work has spread far indeed if the likes of me hear of it. I apologize I could not stay and see your pretty face, but I have business in Redcliffe and then business in the Circle Tower, and I simply can't linger. Nonetheless, I felt a quickly scribbled letter to say hello and send my congratulations would be suitable. I anticipate our next meeting, my lady, and remain impressed by mere memory of you. Oh, by the way, keep an eye on the mice, they're more than they seem.

Stay Safe,

Jensen.

Jensen? She hadn't heard from Jensen in half a year now. She returned the letter to its case, memories of the suave rogue flickering in her mind pleasantly. Once the letter was stashed in her chest, Klyde leaned on the window, looking out into the night. She couldn't help but picture Jensen sneaking in somehow and leaving the letter in her room, knowing somehow where it was. With his wily ways she wouldn't be surprised.

Memories of the rogue brought back memories of another male she had known in that time who was now only a distant memory: the Iron Bull. When would she see him again? Only time would tell, but part of her missed him dearly. The boisterous commander would be impressed by her company, she thought. It wasn't the size of his or to the level of it, but for less than a year old, the Dalesmen were an impressive bunch. She wondered how Jensen truly felt about her company. More so, she wondered what he had meant- keep an eye on the mice, they're more than they seem. Why couldn't he tell her directly? Why must he speak in riddles? Sure, he was a rogue who barely made any sense, but she still expected him to be at least somewhat straightforward in a serious situation like this.

Klyde locked her door and blew out the candles. As her mind raced, she curled up in her bed, knowing she'd barely sleep. Yet despite her new concerns and excitement, she found her mind returning to the thought of those warm nights by the campfire with Iron Bull and Meriam, both of whom she dearly missed, telling stories and getting to know the Chargers and that big, smooth-talking, arrogant, intelligent, absolutely wonderful Qunari. She wondered where he was now.

Would she ever see him again?