Chapter 27: The old veteran

Passing through several barracks and other structures, the 5 squads ended up, entering into one of the open fields where hundreds of carriages with leather containers awaited them.

The supervisor stopped in front of the 1st row of carriages and nodded to his comrades. A moment later a captain girl together with several others approached the carriages and raised leather containers, putting them on their backs, and fastening them so that they didn't disturb their movements.

It was relatively simple because all the leather containers had straps in which they could put their arms.

Repeating the same process several times, they gave their containers to the closest candidates.

"There are 50 sectors in our expedition camp, and on average every 5 squads cover the demand for water of 1 sector. Our army needs a huge amount of water for soldiers, horses for blacksmiths for bathhouses, and other things every day. As candidates that will perform the duty in one of the rear camp sectors, you should be ready for the increased amount of workload. Here you can see hundreds of carriages, and thousands of water containers one sector needs for just a day." explained the supervisor, walking in front of the 5 squads, "Every day, elite water porters deliver fresh water from the nearest water source, using these carriages. This is your day load for the coming 3 days while you will be evaluated for the water porter position. This amount of water is vital for this sector, so you can't even dream about your barracks and rest till you finish your job. These carriages usually return in the afternoon, and this would be the time you start your duty."

"At first, you can't move these carriages, it's prohibited! Elite squads won't like it if something happens with their carriages. So, candidates will deliver these containers by hand. At first, you should deliver this water to enchanters, responsible for water purification. Ask your captains where to find them in your sectors. Second, you will have to deliver that new water to all the main structures in the expedition camp. Maps and their locations you will see on maps that you can take from those enchanters. Finally, you will have to leave a record to those enchanters about how much water you took," explained the supervisor, looking at the candidates, "You will also compete against each other, the more effectivity you show, the more chances you have to become water porter. This also applies to your squads. The best squad and the best 50 candidates would get awards that would be useful during the duty."

"This is your challenge, prove yourself worthy, and you would become our comrade. Though we aren't influential, we help each other," said the supervisor, sitting on one of the carriages, "I became one of them a year ago, I was just a 2nd rank squire, but I had good talent, my comrades supported and helped me to grow up. The positions of water porters aren't just another job, it's access to our community and contacts."

Many candidates nodded and showed their resolute expressions while Theo smiled, looking at his friends and many others in the crowd.

In fact, it was quite funny for him to see how they pitched him for the lowest non-combatant position in the expedition army. However, he respected those who created such small communities and those who achieved big results, starting from such a low position.

The supervisor gave several moments for the candidates to think about his words before standing and looking at them.

"Since you already know your objectives, what else are you waiting for, or you plan to wait for more water containers?" cried the supervisor at 5 squads, "Candidates, start or I will ask to add more carriages if these ones aren't enough,"

Just one reminder was enough and all 5 squads started taking leather containers from carriages before returning to their captains.

When Theo took one of the water containers, he felt that there was around 20 kg of water, it wasn't too heavy for him, but he will think about it again at the end of his day.

Soon, all 5 squads returned back to their initial positions with water containers behind their backs.

The supervisor threw his glance at the candidates before looking at the captains.

"Show them where are the enchanters, and explain how they should deliver cargo," said the supervisor, leaving the field.

Captains exchanged glances among each other before choosing one of them and following after the supervisor.

As a result, the same girl that spoke before to Theo's squad got chosen to show where were the enchanters together with the other 4 water porters, responsible for other squads.

"Follow me," said the girl, showing the way.

***

At the same time as candidates moved out, there was a gathering happening inside one of the buildings in the headquarters.

There were many generals and unit commanders gathered inside that hall and they were now listening to the man in the armor, speaking about their plans. The man had white hair, a muscled body, and a sharp gaze. In short, he was a typical war general with a thick aura of danger around him.

"Generals and squad commanders, we all have limited time, so I will be short and will quickly explain our plan," said the man with Roland family insignia, throwing a quick glance at Stella and Aurelia.

"Right now, almost all the units have finished their preparation, there is no more the same disharmony we had a month ago. Our army will be 100% ready for the incoming battles," said the man with a smile on his lips, "As you know the vanguard has already deployed, and will soon start recapturing first forts on nagas territory."

"Before we reach the closest territories of enemy bases, we will have to return local forests and hills where nagas captured our forts and stopped intel gathering. At first, we will have to return our footholds there. Nagas will most likely leave only small forces in there, so it won't be a problem for us, however, don't forget about monsters and wild animals. A short period of human inactivity might have changed the ecosystem there, and we will inevitably meet some of them along our way. So, stay vigilant, and don't let your squads relax when we enter in seemingly calm forests and hills," explained Barko, the general with the biggest amount of merits in the Roland family.

"After we return our order, rebuild forts, and gather enough intel, the harsh phase would begin. As we know the main enemy bases are located near the river Blue. There are many swamps where our enemy would have many advantages, but we will have to pass through them, and recapture footholds and drive away nagas from the river."

"By the way, the expedition army will move out in a week," said Barko, looking at Freinos family unit commanders that didn't need many words to grasp the situation.

"That's it for the briefing, unit commanders may return," said Barko, moving in a certain direction, "Commander Stella and Aurelia, please stay here,"

Several moments later when hundreds of officers and commanders left the hall, there were only around twenty people left. Most of them were dressed in armor or robes, and more than half of them were generals. Stella and Aurellia seemed a bit off for such company, but none of those men and women showed dissatisfaction when they stayed to listen to the generals' briefing.

When all the generals concentrated their attention on Barko, the door opened, and a man in armor with Freinos family insignia entered into the hall, approaching Barko. The man was tall, had short black hair, muscled body, and he was releasing the vibe of strength and hidden power. However, the big scar on his forehead attracted the biggest attention.

Barko smiled and immediately saluted when he saw the person who appeared before him.

"Commander August," exclaimed Barko, straightening up his posture as if he has just met a higher-ranking official.

Commander August was one of the most experienced veterans and one of Freinos family supreme guardian knights' commanders whose name had huge weight in the Freinos city, and Barko wasn't the only one who straightened up himself when he saw his appearance in the hall. Many people outside of Freinos family respected this man.

"Relax, Barko," said August, patting him on his shoulder.

"I have already looked through your plans for the incoming expedition, and I don't think that you need my pointers. So, you can continue as before, I don't doubt the skills of the man who created the campaign plans that I read. I will just be a spectator, and would only interfere in case of emergency. Wouldn't that be much better for young generals to prove themselves and let this old man learn some new things," asked August, smiling at generals, and stopping his glance at Stella and Aurellia.

That was enough for many generals to relax and return their glances back at Barko, the expedition army commander.

When Barko continued his speech, starting sharing the intel he had gathered, August slowly approached Stella and Aurellia that were watching after the briefing from the side.

"Young ladies, why don't we take a short walk while the generals here discuss the campaign,"

Both sisters wanted to find an excuse to stay to listen, but couldn't refuse to this man, and sighed nodding to August.

As a result, a moment later three people left the hall.

August was one of the few men who both sisters respected because of his skills and knowledge. He was main Stella's sword trainer back in childhood, and taught her many things, not only about swords and battle techniques. This man was one of the few who survived Darwin's companions in his adventures and told them many stories about the world. Even Aurellia that didn't like to train with sword enjoyed listening to his stories after their training. In short, this man was like an elder brother for both of them.

So, it was inevitable that they would hug him as soon as they left the headquarters.

"Uncle August, when have you returned?" asked Stella.

"Father told us that you left to complete several difficult missions and wouldn't return in the near time," said Aurellia.

August hugged both girls before patting them on the shoulders and releasing them.

"It happened I completed my mission and got a message from the Lord about my appointment as a spectator in the expedition army. So I rushed back without stopping in Freinos city,"

"By the way, I heard that you were appointed to command 3000 people squad," said August with a smile on his lips, "That's amazing news, another Freinos would cover his name with battle glory on my eyes,"

Both sisters nodded with resolute flames in their eyes.

"By the way, uncle August, don't you know if headquarters would deeply us in the 1st echelon that would move out after the vanguard?" asked Stella the biggest question she worried about.

"Rushing to the battlefield huh?" said Augustus while his smile became wider, "Just like your father during youth, don't worry, you and your units would join the battlefield after we gather enough fresh intel, and when we secure several footholds."

"Isn't it too long? I expected to storm the nagas together with vanguard," muttered Stella.

August released a short laugh after hearing her words.

"Young lady, be patient, you and your sister command one of the best elite squads in the expedition army, you will have many opportunities to show yourself during the main battles," explained August, patting Stella on her head, "Besides, my Lord would never forgive me if anything happens to his daughters, so it would be too dangerous for you to move out with such small units we send right now as the vanguard."

Just as he finished his speech, sisters' horses appeared before them while a knight appeared behind calling for August.

Watching as Stella and Aurellia climbed on their horses, August threw a quick glance at Stella with a smiling face, but hidden emotions in his eyes. However, he suddenly remembered one important thing he forgot about.

"Young ladies, it was a pleasure to see you. By the way, take it," said Augustus, throwing two crystal to Stella, "These are distress signals that inform our forces if you get in trouble."

Stella nodded to the commander before tugging her reins and moving out towards her unit.

August spent several moments, looking at the back of the red-haired maiden in armor before turning around and following after the knight.