The reaction spelled itself out on Jacob and Matthias' faces.
“I can see you understand the quandary we're in.”
“Sir, if I may be so bold, why is the second set of creatures a problem? Unless I am much mistaken, we are standing in the fortress that was to be our outermost point of expansion for the immediate future. Meaning that the plains are, for all intents and purposes, beyond it, leaving those creatures free to use their lands unharmed. And even if the plains are to be annexed into the Queen's territories, why not allow that problem to be dealt with by a different commander?”
“You are suggesting, Jacob, that I shunt this problem down the road onto the next person to sit behind this desk.”
“Somewhat, sir. More that we should focus on creating a liveable and safe climate inside the fortress ring, and let matters on the outside proceed as they will, as long as they do not bother us. Certainly, the visible military capabilities of these creatures is such that they aren't going to bother a platoon, let alone a regiment or a full corps.”
“Matthias, you concur on this military assessment?”
“They appear to have bows, arrows, spears, and other edged weapons. Nothing that would originate from even this century in our own culture. I am confident they are generations behind us in technology and strategy. I see no threat in them militarily.”
“Very well. Jacob, you have raised a salient point. Provided they remain no threat, and do not unduly inconvenience us as we go about our duty, they can hold onto their lands for the time being.” The Colonel made a gesture of dismissal, and turned back to his reports.
Matthias moved towards the door, then stopped. “Sir, what are we to do with the two tribes that are currently in our possession?”
“Keep them here, learn the languages and customs, and see if there's any chance of them being civilized. It is information we will need sooner or later.”
“Understood sir.”
Jacob held the tent flap for Matthias as they stepped into the open air.
“Why do I get the feeling that the order he's just given us is going to take months, if not years?”
“Because it is, Jacob.”
“Dinner at seven?”
“I do believe so, unless the schedule has changed. I shall certainly be looking forward to Cook's latest creation. With luck, he has put on something special for our return.”
“Small victories should be celebrated as well as large ones.”
“Indeed. Good day, Jacob.”
“And to you, Matthias.”
The most unpleasant part of his day concluded, Jacob went in search of Joyce, Umholi, and the rest of those he was responsible for. Which apparently now included all of the Uhlobo tribe. That was going to try his patience at a level the Lifeguards could not even consider approaching.
And he was right. What he found was an argument occurring between a junior officer, Joyce, Umholi, and two more Umkhovu.
“What is going on here?”
Both Joyce and the officer, a man named Upton, began to speak at once. A raised hand forestalled them both. “Upton, begin.”
“Sir, I found these two creatures attempting to steal food supplies, and then sneak into the wild, no doubt to warn others of our presence. I gave one a swift kick, and the other attacked me, and bit my trousers.” A glance down did confirm teeth marks, although only on the cloth.
“And Joyce?”
“Sir, I wasn't here, and so am not an eyewitness. However, Umholi and the others claim that they were set upon by this man when there were no others around, and beaten, and that they only fought back because they had to.”
Inwardly, Jacob sighed. Neither side was going to tell the complete truth, that much was for certain, but he privately believed Joyce and Umholi more than Upton. The man had a history of sentencing soldiers to heavy lashings, to the point that he was banned from conducting administrative punishment without consulting a higher officer. Privately, of course. It would never do to strip him of his power in front of the men.
“Upton, be on your way. I'll make sure these creatures receive their just punishments.”
Nodding, with a pleased smile on his face, Upton strolled off, hand on the hilt of his sword. A pity that one had such a highly regarded father in the House of Lords.
“Now, Joyce, I want each of these creatures lashed. Five times, and by Barnaby. Do you understand me?”
Joyce waited a moment as it all sunk in. “Perfectly clearly sir.”
“Very well. Do carry on.”
Jacob departed, leaving him to the matter. The creatures would be lashed, but not particularly harshly. It was, in fact, the lightest punishment that could be given under the circumstances, and one that had to be administered, if for no other reason than to save face with his own men.
Still, they weren't humans, these Umkhovu, and they certainly weren't noble officers of the Queen's Lifeguards. Despite his misgivings about Upton's treatment of his men, Jacob would rather have him standing at his side than the whole Uhlobo tribe.
Stretching his legs, he set off for an evening constitutional through the Lifeguards' camp. It would do his men well to be surprised by his presence.
***
Dinner that night had started with a plate of gosling appetizers, through several courses in between, and was currently finishing on goose liver pate and a selection of exotic cheeses. The crumbling blues were Jacob's favourite, but he could easily have supped on any presented before him. Cook had once again worked his magic.
“Most, most satisfactory. I am in awe of Cook's talents when he truly applies them.” Richard nodded magnanimously in the direction of the soldiers acting as servants. “Do convey my regards.”
The sentiments echoed around the room, as all six of the regimental commanders thanked Cook for his exquisite banquet.
“And now to business.” Thomason lent back in his chair, a sherry in one hand. “What is the reason for all these squawking creatures running about the camp?”
“I do hope they aren't actually running about. They're supposed to be confined into limited areas, well away from one another.” Matthias hardly looked concerned, however.
“Well, no. 'Twas merely a figure of speech. But they are frightfully noisy at times, and their stench is something we could use as a weapon of war.”
“On that, I have no doubts, having spent far too much time in their company for the comfort of my nose. But to answer your question, they are currently our research project.”
“Our?”
“Well, mine and Jacob's. By direct order of the Lord Almighty.”
“I don't suppose you could convince him that the research could be conducted downwind, and well away from the primary living areas?” Richard made a displeased gesture.
“Unfortunately not. His orders are to keep them here, study their language and customs, and civilize them if at all possible.”
“Civilize them? Whatever for?”
“I believe the Colonel envisions them serving as menials, when all is said and done. They are quite bright individually, if rather unskilled as a collective.”
“And that matches with your impressions, Jacob? These creatures are actually intelligent?”
“We have at least one who is already beginning to speak the Queen's language, despite having encountered it less than a week ago. So in some areas, they certainly appear to have talent.”
“Is that the only area they have shown capabilities in?”
“Well, they also seem very adept at reading our facial expressions and orders, even if they were not translated. Does that concur with your assessment, Matthias?”
“For the most part, yes. Although it appears the tribe that I encountered is much happier to ignore those orders. They are a boisterous group, on the whole, and one whom I am sure are going to bring me grief.”
“Lashings have proven ineffective?” Willaby joined in.
“If anything it riles them up more. They wail and keen, and then become overly
demonstrative. We had already taken their weapons away, but then we had to take their food knives, as they were fighting one another with them, and even their guards on one occasion.”
“They attacked a sentry? How uncouth.”
“I do believe the sentry had kicked one of them when trying to break a fight up. They may possess a fair degree of intelligence, but they utilize it less than a bunch of squabbling children. The amount of cajoling I shall have to endure when they are able to speak our language will boggle the mind.”
“Matthias, you are making me feel quite pleased I got the assignment I did.” Thomason was smiling as he tipped back the sherry.
“I had thought I had the plum assignment. The fates do love to play with man's expectations.”
Jacob kept quiet throughout this spate of complaining, as although his group of the Umkhovu was no easy burden to bear, he hardly thought it fair to Matthias to indicate that his tribe was by far the more problematic. He did wonder how much of that was down to Umholi, and how much to overall tribal customs. Most likely a combination of both, in the end. No outcome ever had but one cause.
The conversation meandered for a little, unable to settle on a topic.
“For those who have not yet heard, I received some rather excellent news from home this afternoon. Not only has my sister become engaged, but it is to the Duke of Westmorland, the Queen's cousin.” Richard looked pleased with himself.
“That would place her... sixth in the line of succession?”
“I'm not entirely sure myself. I was made to understand that she can't succeed to the throne herself, but that her children would be able to, should the main branch of the family fail.” Suddenly realizing that could be taken as wishing the Queen ill, Richard raised his glass. “To the Queen. May her lands ever expand, and her family ever prosper.”
A round of “Here, here!” swept the room.
“Does it mean anything for your commission, Richard?” Thomason made a vague gesture, encompassing all the surrounding lands.
“There was some matters in the document regarding that, but it seemed quite uncertain as of yet. I don't think there's a higher posting open than the one I'm in right now. Especially given where we are. For a man of ambition, being one of the leaders of this expedition is really the best opportunity there is.” Another tipple. “Speaking of opportunity, have any of you chaps begun looking at lands you'd like to try and claim? We're all going to be given titles out here, I'm sure of it.”
Matthias answered. “I've been waiting until we get a chance to look at the land surrounding the other four proposed fortifications. After all, if I'm going to claim land, I'd prefer it to be near my men. It would make defence and administration easier.”
“Ah, now there's a man who's thinking ahead. But I think what we should all do is try and claim the land right around the harbour. Out here, we're on the frontier. There's going to be farming, and hunting, and likely little else unless we find resources of value. Or unless those creatures of yours turn out to be brilliant traders. But back there, next to the docklands, well, that's where the warehouses need to go, and the inns, and the government buildings, and all those things that make up the capital city of this new land. So if we own that land, and lease it at good rates or build on it ourselves, we'll make quite a nice income from it.”
“You have a sensible plan, but what happens if the Queen's ministers claim that land in her name, or in their own? Out here, we don't have a great deal of hold on the bureaucracy.”
“Oh pish. Look around you. All six of us are the sons of the high nobility. These was such fierce competition for these posts no one else even got a look in. We get this land the same way we managed to get our positions, especially if we remember to throw in a few incentives for our families. Would any of your fathers turn down a rich opportunity such as this?”
Negatives flew around the room.
“Now, Thomason, you're already appointed as the dock commandant, which means you're our man on the spot, once this all starts happening. When you get a chance, have a surveyor or two go over the terrain and mark out the best areas for both the city, and for us, and make sure we get a good look in before anyone else does. And if anyone asks, we're looking for land to build the fortresses on. I suggest we all begin drafting letters to our families to get this under way. What say you?”
“Entirely workable. I'll be looking forward to it.” Thomason nodded, said his goodbyes, and slipped out for a final check on the men.
In turn, each of the others followed, Richard included, until only Jacob and Matthias were left. Although neither had said anything to the other, they had both lingered, and so there was something they wanted to discuss.
“Well, Matthias, I must say I find Richard’s proposal intriguing. But what warns me off of it is that he brought it up in front of the six of us. His family alone, especially with this new marriage, has enough sway and funds to have bought the land outright. So why does he need us?”
Matthias handed Jacob a filled sherry before answering. “Firstly, he might desire to spread the risk a bit. After all, if it's entirely his idea and it backfires, his standing in his family and elsewhere falls considerably. And then there's the unpleasant idea he's setting us up because he knows something more than we do. Which may well have come in the letter he received. But I for one am not proposing sneaking into his tent to examine it. I have higher standards than that.”
“So we wait, and let things play out, at least until we have to commit something concrete to the matter.”
“Yes, and I would recommend that we alert our families to the issue as well. After all, they can examine items in the homeland that are hardly available here. But enough of that.” Matthias took a polite sip at his sherry. “We have a more pressing matter here, which is those damned Umkhovu. They are going to destroy discipline in the camp, through their incessant activity. I hardly want to have them around. Indeed, I'd be happy to have the whole bloody lot shot at dawn, except that I have direct orders from Colonel Sherman to study the little buggers and civilize them. But as it stands now, cooped up as they are, it takes most of my men to hold them in place. If any form of enemy showed up, I'd have to choose between letting the creatures run free, or fighting with a hand tied.”
Jacob thought for a moment. “Why not let them earn their keep? We're in the middle of building a fortress here, and while I certainly wouldn't trust them with anything resembling precise labour, they can certainly dig, or haul trees from the forest. After all, a lot of what we're doing is filling gaps between timbers with earth and other material. They're certainly up to that.”
“You'd trust them with a shovel?”
“We have to do something with the creatures, otherwise they are going to continue on in their recalcitrant manner. The best I can think of is exhausting them every day. They've got long arms that should be good for the digging, if nothing else.”
“On that front, you're entirely right.” Matthias rose from his chair. “You've put my mind at ease, at least for the moment. I'll give the orders in the morning. Have a good evening.”
“Likewise.”
***
Morning saw Jacob on the hunt for Joyce and Umholi. Since Joyce had been freed from his regular duties to report and learn the activity of the Umkhovu, he had been all but inseparable from the elder of the tribe. Jacob was unsure of how good that was for discipline, but since the incident with Upton, matters on that front had been quiet.
Presently, he found the two of them having breakfast together, on a small knoll overlooking both the uncompleted fortress and the plains beyond. Upon seeing his approach, Joyce sprang to his feet in a salute.
“At ease.”
“Sir.” Despite the order, Joyce stayed standing, although now in parade rest, rifle at his side.
“We're going to start putting the Umkhovu to work, building the fortress. They're to do a lot of the digging and the hauling of timber. We can hardly have them acting as layabouts when the soldiers ar
e hard at work, can we?”
“No sir.”
“And there's the matter of discipline. For every incident I hear about that I judge serious, their rations will be cut in half. And then quarters. And on the third incident, they'll starve for a day. Make sure they understand.”
“Understand, I do.”
Jacob spun around. Umholi was standing there, in a fair imitation of Joyce's posture. Given his overly long arms and somewhat hunched body, it did little to recommend him, but it was startling nonetheless.
“Very well. Repeat my orders back to me.”
“We work for you. You feed us. If problem, not feed us.”
“That's certainly the gist of the matter. Joyce, either you've done splendid work, or Umholi is a genius.”
The enlisted man beamed. “I've tried my best sir, but he's a very talented student and I believe the lion's share of the credit is his.”
“That's honest of you.”
Joyce looked away for a moment. “I'd feel wrong if I stole what was rightfully someone else's.”
Jacob gave the man a steel glance. “Don't take that sentiment too far. It could land you in all kinds of trouble.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Good. Now see to it that they're at work by the next bell. The engineers will tell you where they need to be and what to do. And once you have them all sorted, find me and report. I've seen your written material, but I want to hear from you directly as well.”
“I'll be there sir.” He looked over to Umholi. “Time to start your new job.”
As the two of them walked away, Jacob caught a parting comment. “Somehow, I like old job more.”
***
It was raining heavily that morning, perfect for what Jacob intended to do. Had intended, for quite some time. But intentions could do little but wait when Mother Nature herself refused to cooperate by providing dry, balmy conditions. However, at last the time was right.
Our Land (Queen's Own Book 1) Page 5