“I should hope not,” Stiger said coldly. “You are lucky to have a second chance. Do not disappoint me.”
“I will not, sir.”
“Sergeant Ranl has your orders.”
The lieutenant saluted and quickly stepped out of the room to speak with the sergeant. Stiger had assigned the lieutenant close to two hundred men who had been captured in the castle itself. He had already spoken with those men earlier this morning and offered them a chance to once again serve. No one had refused. Upon learning they would be spared death or worse, a life of slavery, they had cheered themselves hoarse, many thanking him profusely.
Unfortunately for Stiger, Peal was the only officer available. Promoting a man from the ranks not possible, so in the end the lieutenant had been his only choice. Captain Aveeno had either executed or corrupted the other officers in the keep. All of those men had either died with him in the great hall or elsewhere in the castle.
Stiger would have to work closely with Peal to make sure he could handle his assignment. Should he prove to be incapable of handling the men, Stiger would be in a bind. He was hoping there were a few officers of worth in the valley on whom he could rely to help.
“What of the rest of the valley’s garrison?” Eli asked, looking out the window at the magnificent view of the large, lush valley below. Though winter was nearly upon them, the mountains shielded the valley somewhat. Eli was referring to the troops occupying the three forts in the valley. There were around seven hundred men in those forts. Stiger had sent Blake to those posts, along with written orders.
“According to Boral,” Stiger sighed, “none is commanded by anyone higher than a lieutenant. Aveeno killed anyone senior. Sergeant Boral tells me most are good men, though there are a few of Aveeno’s watchdogs who will have to be dealt with.”
“Do you think they will accept your command?”
“They don’t have a choice,” Stiger responded with a tired sigh. Aveeno’s reign of terror was over and as such, he expected no resistance from the officers. With the remaining officers on board, the men should fall gratefully in line.
Eli said nothing in reply, but turned back to the window and the magnificent view. The valley was much larger than he had expected, at least twenty miles in length and ten miles in width. A brilliant blue river snaked its way through the middle. The elf thought the valley a rather pleasant spot.
“Sir,” Sergeant Ranl said from the doorway. “Councilman Bester is here at your request.”
Stiger stood as the councilman was led in and introductions were made. The councilman was a short, balding man in his fifties, slightly pudgy. The man looked of much different stock than most Southerners. In fact, he could have passed for an imperial citizen. Bester represented those who lived in the valley. Stiger understood he owned a large mill. The man had been in the great hall when Stiger had taken the castle, and he looked more than a little uncertain about meeting with the captain.
The relationship between the residents of the valley and the garrison was in a terrible state. The garrison had been taking whatever it wanted from the people of the valley. There had even been some attacks on members of the garrison, and the beginning typical reprisals.
The captain had no idea how long he would be in command of the garrison. It was entirely possible that General Kromen or General Mammot, whoever was now in command, would view this as an opportunity to get rid of a potential headache by leaving Stiger in command. Thinking about that worried him. Though it was more likely they would promote one of their favorites instead. Either way, Stiger expected to be in command of Vrell for at least two to three months. That meant this meeting was important. He wanted to get things off on the right foot and begin to repair the damage that Aveeno had inflicted. The last thing he wanted was to have to clamp down on a hostile population while he got the remnants of the garrison under control.
“You are wondering if I will be worse than Captain Aveeno?” Stiger asked, holding up a hand to forestall a response. “Let me assure you, I am not anything like the late Aveeno. I understand that the residents of this valley have been treated poorly. That changes immediately. As long as I am in command, your people and property will be respected, as it was prior to the rebellion.”
“We will very much appreciate that, Captain,” Councilman Bester said neutrally. Stiger could tell the man wanted to believe him, but they had built no mutual basis for trust yet. Good faith would be developed over time. “The valley supported the empire, not the rebellion.”
“I was aware of that,” Stiger said, and motioned for Bester to take a chair at the table.
The councilman sat as requested. Stiger took a seat on the other side of the table and continued. “I would like to earn that support back. Should any of my men step out of line or mistreat your people, I expect to hear of it, and those involved will be swiftly disciplined.”
Bester said nothing.
“As long as the residents of the valley respect us,” Stiger continued, “my legionaries will respect your people. I expect no attacks on my people and simply put, we will not molest you.”
“We want nothing of the rebellion,” the councilman said emphatically. “The rebellion has only brought us trouble and heartache.”
“That is encouraging to hear,” Stiger said.
“What of those of the garrison who have already done harm?” Bester asked.
“Captain Aveeno’s thugs will be dealt with,” Stiger answered.
“Is what I hear true, Captain?” Bester asked.
“About Captain Aveeno being an agent of Castor?” Stiger breathed heavily. “You were there. You saw it with your own eyes. Father Thomas removed that filth from this world.”
“Then it is true,” the councilman said. “This Father Thomas is a paladin of the High Father?”
“Yes, he is.”
“I would very much like to meet him.”
“He is recovering,” Stiger explained. “However, I am confident he would be willing to meet with you when he is well enough to do so.”
“Thank you, Captain, I would appreciate that.”
“I am not sure how long I will be here; most likely at least two to three months, at least until a replacement can be appointed,” Stiger said, changing the subject. “In that time, I would like to build a working relationship with you and the people of the valley. Perhaps even a written agreement that if accepted by the commanding general of the South, would have lasting repercussions for the peace of the valley and how the garrison interacts with your people after I leave.”
“I would be willing to work with you,” Bester said, not sure if he would really be able to trust this man.
“The captain is an honorable man,” Eli added, turning from the window and showing his face for the first time. The councilman’s eyes widened.
“An elf!” Bester exclaimed, standing in astonishment. “You must be an elf! I never thought I would meet an elf.”
Eli approached the table and offered a slight bow. “I am Lieutenant Eli’Far.”
“You keep interesting company, Captain,” Bester said, not taking his eyes off Eli.
“‘Interesting’ does not do justice to this one’s life,” Eli said with a close-mouthed smile. It seemed that he just could not resist a friendly jab.
“Can we work together, Councilman Bester?” Stiger asked. “Can you keep the peace of the valley long enough for me to gain control of the entire garrison?”
“I will do what I can,” Bester said, dragging his eyes away from Eli and back to Stiger. He sat once again. “I will need to speak with a number of people. Captain Aveeno confiscated all of the horses. It would be most helpful if I could borrow one, along with a pass to travel freely.”
“I am sure we can find you a horse from the stables,” Stiger said. “I have already sent orders nullifying the requirement of passes. You should have no problem traveling freely.”
“Thank you for that, Captain.”
“What else can I do to help the peo
ple of the valley?”
“Help?” Bester asked and laughed nervously. “Do you really mean that?”
“Yes,” Stiger said sincerely. “I mean what I say.”
“Captain Aveeno confiscated much of our food stores and animals,” Bester admitted grimly. “We are looking at a hard winter.”
Stiger had learned that Captain Aveeno had amassed a hoard of food to keep the garrison fed throughout the winter. It was another way to keep them loyal. Aveeno had made a real mess of things, Stiger thought with frustration and anger. Or perhaps it had been the creature controlling him. Stiger found the concept of losing control to such an agent of evil frightening. When Father Thomas woke, Stiger planned to speak with him at length about it. Regardless, once the supply train arrived, the cache of stores the garrison had confiscated would be mostly irrelevant.
“I will return all that I can,” Stiger said. “We have a supply train that will arrive within the next few days. I do not see food for your people or the garrison being an issue this winter.”
“Thank you, Captain,” Bester said, brightening. There was still distrust in his eyes, but Stiger could also now see a glimmer of hope. “That will go a long way toward building faith.”
“I hope to do much more,” Stiger responded. “I would like to meet with your full council to work out a permanent agreement.”
“I will need to speak with a number of people first. I do not think arranging a meeting will be a problem,” Councilman Bester said. “Do you wish to hold it here or in the valley?”
“The castle would be best, I think,” Stiger replied, then decided a concession might be in order. “However, if the council is more comfortable, I will travel to a place of your choosing in the valley.”
“Excuse me, sir,” Sergeant Ranl interrupted, poking his head into the room. “Legionary Beck is here with the eagle.”
“Send him in.” So strong was the 13th’s history with the legions that Stiger had made sure that the men of the castle garrison whom he had given a second chance had had an opportunity to see it. Legionary Beck was now returning with it. Stiger hoped the eagle, as a symbol, would help cement his control and reinforce loyalty to the empire.
Legionary Beck entered rapidly. A stand for the eagle’s pole had been fashioned in the corner. Councilman Bester’s eyes widened as he saw the eagle. He gave the captain a calculating look, which neither Stiger nor Eli missed. Bester looked back at the eagle, which Beck set in its stand. The legionary saluted his captain before he left.
“Forgive my misunderstanding, Captain Stiger, but I had thought you were the senior officer,” Bester said smoothly. “Should I be speaking with the general in charge of the legion?”
“Councilman Bester, I am the senior officer in charge,” Stiger said with a frown. “I was under the impression we had already established that fact.”
“I understood that imperial eagles traveled with the general commanding the legion,” Bester explained, gesturing at the eagle. “Am I mistaken?”
“No, you are quite correct.” Stiger exchanged a quick glance with Eli. “This eagle was lost with the 13th. We were able to recover it on our march here and will be returning it to the emperor.”
“A lost eagle … very interesting,” Bester said, a strange expression crossing his face. “I did not realize the legions ever misplaced their eagles.”
“They typically do not,” Stiger said, his tone harder than he wished. The man was playing with him for some reason. He softened his tone. “The 13th legion was lost in the South many years ago, along with her eagle.”
“I see.” Bester made a show of glancing over at the window. “It is late afternoon. There are a number of people I must speak with to arrange a council meeting. The first is in Rivertown, and if I leave now I should get there by nightfall.”
“Of course,” Stiger said, standing. The councilman stood as well. “When can I expect your return and word on the meeting with the council?”
“Three or four days should be sufficient,” the councilman said, with a glance at the eagle. “When I see you next, I would love to hear more about this ‘lost’ eagle and how you recovered it.”
“Sergeant Ranl,” Stiger called.
“Sir?” The sergeant appeared in the doorway.
“Please see that Councilman Bester gets a good horse along with a saddle, rations and sufficient feed from the castle stables.”
“I will, sir,” Sergeant Ranl stated.
“It was a pleasure meeting you.” Stiger offered Bester his hand, which the councilman shook.
“The same for both of you.” Bester’s eyes lingered a moment on Eli before his gaze shifted to the eagle again. Before he left, Stiger thought he caught a slight shake of the man’s head as he walked out.
Stiger sat down and was silent, thinking. Eli took Bester’s former seat.
“I believe he has seen this eagle before,” Eli said, tapping the table with an idle finger.
“Perhaps,” Stiger said, pouring himself a mug of wine from a pitcher on the table. He took a sip and savored its taste, finding it quite good. One of the castle servants had explained that it was made here in the valley. The wine rivaled some of the best of imperial vintages that were available in the Mal’Zeel. Once the rebellion in the South was resolved, Stiger intended to send an agent to purchase an interest in its production and begin importing it to the heart of the empire. With any luck, it would prove a sound investment.
“Perhaps,” Stiger said again, considering Bester. “Perhaps not.”
“The people of this valley must have suffered terribly,” Eli said, having poured himself a mug of wine as well. He took a sip, then returned to the window and looked out over the valley.
“I clearly have a lot of work to do to gain their trust,” Stiger agreed.
“Fixing roads, roofs, and helping to take in what remains of the harvest might be a good start,” Eli suggested.
“Between training, it would certainly keep the men busy,” Stiger agreed, “and we both know busy means out of trouble.”
“The South has proven to be very different than the North,” Eli said wistfully, turning back to the window.
“More like all upside down,” Stiger responded.
Seventeen
The officers commanding the three forts in the valley had arrived, according to the summons Stiger had sent them. All three were very relieved that Captain Aveeno was no more and that the madness had ended. They were all young, this being their first assignment. Stiger spent time with each of the lieutenants, learning about what they had been through and the state of their men. All three seemed to be good men, though jaded by recent events. They were still very wet behind the ears, experience-wise.
Unsurprisingly, Stiger confirmed, there was tremendous hostility between the people living in the valley and the garrison. He intended to rectify that, but it would take time. He knew he had a lot to do. By order of seniority, he was responsible for the entire garrison and the civilian population in the valley. Oddly, there were no allied auxiliaries comprising part of the garrison. Most garrisons were primarily made up of auxiliaries, with only a handful of legionaries to act as a backbone. It was all very strange.
Stiger had called a meeting, which included all of the lieutenants, along with their lead sergeants. This also included Eli, Ikely, Peal, Ranl and Blake. Stiger had also invited Sergeant Boral.
They stood around the large table in the room that served as his headquarters. A map of the valley was spread across the table. It was an old map that Ranl had found in the castle’s dusty library, which had apparently sat unused for years. Stiger had placed stones on the map, indicating the locations of the three forts. From his interviews, he had learned they were nothing but simple, rough wooden structures without walls.
“I expect you to construct proper legionary fortifications,” Stiger ordered. “In between training your men, you will work on this daily. The civilians in the valley are hostile. Until we can change that attitude, I
want our men protected and confined behind the walls.”
“Sir,” Lieutenant Banister spoke up. He commanded one of the infantry companies. “Captain Aveeno selected the locations for our forts. They are not in the best areas. Mine, for instance, has no access to fresh water. I must send a wagon at least two miles to fetch water.”
“Find a more suitable site,” Stiger ordered. “Be mindful of the civilians, though. We need to build bridges and not burn them.”
Stiger thought for a moment. The company garrisoning the castle had been in poor shape. He suspected those in the valley were in the same condition. Seven levels, he thought, the legions of the South were simply rotten. He struggled for a moment with what he wanted to say. These lieutenants were fairly fresh men, with little real experience. Their more experienced seniors had all been cut down. Stiger decided to come out and say what needed saying.
“Having come from the North, I have been personally appalled by the conditions here in the South. I want you to understand I will not tolerate slovenly and lax standards. Your men are legionaries. I expect them to look and act the part. I also expect you to get your men into proper shape. Is that understood?”
There was a chorus of yeses. Stiger was in command and it was that simple.
“I have provided each of you a ‘suggested’ schedule of training.” Stiger paused. He knew the men would resent the training, as his own company had. Each of the garrison companies would have to be rebuilt from the ground up. That would take time. He hoped the people in the valley would give him time and that the bad feelings had not reached the tipping point yet.
“Keeping the boys busy will also keep them out of trouble,” Boral added. Stiger actually smiled. He was beginning to take a shine to this man. In private, Blake had gone out of his way to vouch for Boral.
“Exactly,” Stiger agreed. “From what I understand, you are short sergeants and corporals. Promote additional corporals from men you trust and can rely on. Any candidates for sergeant I would like to meet before giving my approval.”
Stiger’s Tigers (Chronicles of An Imperial Legionary Officer Book 1) Page 23