Franklin never really wanted to be a soldier. Instead, he hoped to become some country squire attending to the lands of his father and his father before him. However, all that went out the window when war was declared.

From what Franklin understood was that the confederates wrongfully assumed that the alliance in their period of mourning could not and would not be able to mount a convincing defense of the islands. They had hoped to sweep away the rather small navy in a vain attempt at a naval landing. However, the likes of admiral David Hornblower and Alan Long. The confederates were smashed upon the rather rocky coastline of the alliance.

Now though the army began to recruit noblemen of all kinds to act as officers to lead the enlisted men. Franklin never liked them. The peace time army was a sight to behold. A force that was the envy of all. The pay being twenty crowns a year. Could net a common man to live comfortably for a year. However, that was quickly taken away by the way some colonels formed their regiments.

Franklin heard about how colonels charged the men for everything all the way down to the flour they use to eat. He heard about the harsh punishments that were used to keep the men disciplined. However, he hated such things. Flogging, beatings, stripping of rights, and so forth.

However, he had to go. Almost all noble families sent a male, even if that meant adopting. Fighting was seen as a way to improve one's position. Yet, Franklin knew another reason why his father was trying to push him to join. His father kept it a secret, but he knew that an old family such as him, even though they were poor. Where expected to keep a show of wealth. To put it simply they were in debt. His father played the notion off. Instead speaking of the deeds of heroics and the like to which fighting for the king could give.

Regardless. He knew it was either him or his father. He didn’t wish his father to go to the fight. He was pushing fifty. His grey hair and withered eyes looked at Franklin with a sense of pride. As a gift a series of treatises were gifted to Franklin. Uncovering one of the manuals. He realized one was the prize possession of his father’s meager library. Von Lieberstein’s Treatise on war. A wonderful text written by the rather ancient and tactically brilliant commander.

The day of his departure. The whole family along with some servants. His siblings were infants. He wondered how long he would not see them. Twins you see. Emma and Robert. He put a hand on their head. They stirred and looked at them. Their large eyes setting on his face. His mother embraced him. His father shook his hand. He boarded his carriage making sure to protect his future. Which was a leather binder that held his commission.

The commission itself was for a cornet rank. The lowest rank as an officer. Due to the inflation of all ranks. Even a simple rank like cornet doubled in price. eight hundred sterling was the price for the commission. At sixteen years old it was a perfect time. He was a little younger, but he had been tutored well to say the least. Not like the highborn ducal houses, but better than the standard merchant.

He read the full bearing of his commission.

‘Dear Franklin Brown,

It is with great pleasure and honor, for you to join his majesties dragoons.

You are to report to Fort Khan Dorson within a week’s time. There you shall be added to the annuls of the regiment, as well as given the accoutrements necessary to execute your rights as an officer.

Forever your servant,

Secretary Adam Jones of the department of affairs’

Franklin read the short letter multiple times over until he fell asleep.

The next day he arrived at the fort. The building itself looked medieval to say the least. He jumped from the running board and began to walk dutifully towards the massive doors that would open to his future. Before reaching it, however, a small contingent of riders. A red-faced sergeant came riding behind them screaming slurs and swears.

He pushed on the door with all his strength almost falling when a clerk quickly opened the door in haste. “Oh, dear. My apologies.” Franklin quickly composed himself and began to walk along the scrawny clerk. “Hello, the names Franklin Brown. I just came in to confirm my commission.” The clerk simply nodded, not a full nod not wanting to have his small spectacles fall from his pinched nose. “I see, well head to desk three, over there. To speak with one of the aids. They may help you get to where. Oh, sorry. I have to go.” The clerk with a speed that amazed Franklin leapt towards a pile of papers.

Franklin walked towards the area the clerk pointed. Dodging and weaving past busy clerks and attendants. On one occasion bumping into a helper carrying several bags full of paper. “Apologies” Franklin murmured. The helper gave a small scowl and leapt to continue his duty. A bored looking lieutenant manned the desk. He simply looked at Franklin and sighed.

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“Papers?” The bored man said raising his hands like a beggar on a street. Franklin pulled the leather binder and passed it to the man. Who simply opened it and glanced at the thing. “Sit there. Captain Williams will get to you soon.” He then tossed the binder back to him. Not caring that the damn thing costed almost a year's worth of his family’s estate's taxes.

Franklin decided to hell with this and headed towards the training grounds. There he saw a glimpse of what was to be his life. The regiment or rather a couple of squadrons were drilling at the time. The ground seemed to have been split into two areas. Dismounted drills and mounted drills.

The sergeants took command of the drilling. One squadron worked on dismounted drills. Which consisted of loading and firing the carbine. Franklin watched as the dismounted elements walked in two ranks. The first kneeled and the second made ready. The entire squadron fired a mass volley. He then saw a charge. The troops slung their carbines and drew their sabers.

He then turned to the mounted drills. They formed in pairs and rode side by side. Slicing melons placed onto stakes. After several turns of going through the obstacle. They formed into line. Their boots linking them together. They performed a full charge. The earth seemed to shake. The air was a buzz.

Franklin was engrossed in the event. Until he was tapped on his shoulder by a red-faced sergeant. “Excuse me, sir. Your needed by Captain Williams.” Franklin felt a lump in his throat. Thats right. He had skipped out of his interview. Pulled from the grounds towards the office area.

The sergeant led the way. Franklin looked at the looming fellow. He seemed a size too big for his uniform and that sort of made Franklin relax a little. It looked almost comical really. However, upon reaching the mahogany doors. The sergeant knocked and pushed it slightly for Franklin to enter.

The room was dim to say the least. A series of candles provided the lights within the room. For the curtains themselves were drawn closed. “Sit” said the man who was currently scribbling information on pieces of papers. Franklin sat in the dim lights as the man continued to scribble.

An hour passed, then another, then another. Until finally the scribbling had stopped. At this point Franklin was bored, tired, and falling asleep. “Franklin Brown?” That brought his attention to the man in front of him. “The names Captain John Williams, let us begin. I require the binder.” He held his hand out waiting for the binder. Franklin reached and passed the binder.

The captain quickly skimmed through the information. “Franklin Brown, son to viscount Brown of Sheffield, sixteen years old, purchased commission two days ago for the total amount of eight hundred sterling. Is that all, correct?” Franklin nodded.

The series of questions dragged on for another hour. At that point Franklin’s mind started to waiver. Captain Williams simply looked at him. “Cornet, I hope you are aware I saw you meander about near the training grounds. You had your orders. To wait till I call upon you. I waited for two hours. So, for that I do unto you twice fold.”

The two sat in silence for a moment or so. Until the captain spoke once more. “Cornet, it is the belief of the colonel and I that we shall not leave the fate of the men to the birthrights of some scion of noble births. That is why. Prior to the completion of the regiments training. The officers will go through the same training as well. So, you shall bunk with three other cornets until completion.” He then fished for a piece of paper. “This is the location of your room. A sergeant will raise you in the morning. So, I suggest you rest while you still can.”

Franklin took the paper and saluted the captain. “Cornet, I know you had good intentions. I hope you had good intentions when you observed the drill. Good day.” As Franklin walked towards the door. The sergeant opened it with a salute. Franklin saluted back before walking down the hall way.

By the time Franklin reached his room. The sun had begun to set. The cornet had gotten lost twice. He knocked on the wooden door. A voice that felt cold answered. “Come in.” Opening the door. He saw a fellow officer. Dressed in the dark green jacket and grey trousers of the dragoons. He sat in front of the singular table with a candle as a source of light.

Franklin introduced himself to the unimpressed teen. “Names Cornet Corvus Moore. A pleasure.” The cornet simply nodded towards Franklin before returning to cleaning his pistol. There was an awkward silence as Franklin looked at the only bed left. In the corner of the room. When suddenly the door opened.

A younger boy, probably in his early teens, stumbled in. Dragging his feet. He was dusty. He winced as he threw himself into his bed. The boy barely looked at Corvus before looking at Franklin. He then introduced himself. “Names Jack Lawson. Son of Duke Lawson.” He then pulled a small book and began to read.

Franklin looked at the two men before taking a seat at the table. Corvus looked up, but continued to clean the pistol in his hand. “So, how did you end up joining the army?” Corvus gave a thin smile, however, there was no warmth or feeling in it. “I came for the duty of my country.”

Before Corvus could continue or simply go about his duty. Jack began to laugh uncomfortably. “The man is a bastard. Your father sent you here to die.” Corvus stopped cleaning and gave a smile. “That is right, my mother cheated on my father the duke of Moore. However, that man raised me as his own. He knew of only one way for me to earn the respect.”

Franklin saw the animated anger and passion that filled Corvus’ eyes. “Besides do you know why Jack joined this regiment?” Franklin shook his head. “He couldn’t afford to purchase his commission within the Rosen Ritter. He reads their manuals, their orders, and the likes. So, his father purchased him a commission here. In the hopes that he either dies honorably or distinguishes himself to join a knightly order.” At that Jack huffed in some sort of agreement.

After that though the talks became more cordial. They spoke at lengths about what the training entails. All the while Corvus looked on in guarded silence. Jack sort of smiled whenever he spoke to Franklin. However, all this was getting late. So Corvus snuffed out the candle and the three boys went to sleep.