TNL 46 – Preparation Part Two
Two days before the trading ship is scheduled leave, there is considerable excitement about the last fishing boat that comes in. The fishing boat is very deep in the water. Raidon thinks for a moment that the boat is overloaded, and has taken too many soldiers onboard. But then he sees that the other fishermen in the harbor are already throwing their lines and sailing towards the boat. The fishing boat is sinking!
If the ship sinks, the fishermen can swim ashore, but all the soldiers on board will drown. With the harnesses they wear, they will be at the bottom of the harbor in no time. Are they going to make it?
Horrified, Raidon sees that the fishing boat is getting deeper and deeper into the water. The water almost flows over the edge. Slowly the boat comes closer. Raidon can now see that most people on board are tipping water over the edge. Not only the fishermen on board, but also the soldiers of the New Legion. Some of them even use their helmets.
Despite all the efforts of the passengers, Raidon sees that they will never make it to the pier. He quickly looks at the other fishing boats. They too are not in time to save the soldiers. With lead in his shoes, Raidon sees that the water is flowing over the edge of the boat. Despite their screams and shouting, the soldiers of the New Legion disappear under water.
Raidon is staring with his mouth open. To lose men under his command in such a way is the worst thing he has ever experienced. With tears in his eyes, he turns away. Around him he sees that other soldiers and fishermen have also stood in horror watching how the drama played out. Raidon isn't the only one to let the tears flow freely either. Some have turned away just like Raidon, others are watching the fishermen continue to dive to find the soldiers underwater.
Within a minute, two other fishing boats are also on site, with a third just behind. From the first two boats men also jump into the water to help the others.
"Captain! Have a look!" shouts one of the soldiers next to Raidon. This soldier is one of the few who has continued to watch the rescue attempt.
When Raidon looks at the sunken boat in amazement, he sees in amazement how first one, and then two soldiers in almost their full armor, only their helmets are missing, are taken out of the water.
"How is that possible?" asks Raidon to the soldier who has continued to watch.
"It looks like the fishing boat sank right into the entrance to the harbor," the soldier says with a huge smile on his face. "Those smart guys deliberately sank the boat there."
"Why would they do that?" Raidon doesn't get it.
"Because the boat is now under water on top of the chain! That's only a few meters under water."
"But how is it possible that our men are still alive?"
"Well, I've heard that someone who can't breathe anymore can be helped by other people. If you blow air into someone's mouth, you can make someone breathe again. What if those fishermen dive down to let the others breathe?"
"Ah, that's why they keep diving down all the time."
Half an hour later, the rescued soldiers are brought ashore by the fishing boats to loud cheers. Even the sunken boat is dragged along and attached to the pier.
A few days later they are ready to sail with the trading ship. The warship is still not fully repaired, but on the merchant ship they can at least experience what it is like to defend a ship. Raidon has given his soldiers an extra day of rest to recover from their experience. Now that they have fully recovered, they can finally go out into the ocean.
With three squads of soldiers and the entire crew led by the old sailor Ryker, they are ready for anything. Ice and Ryker have come up with a training schedule for the soldiers and acting on Ryker’s advice, they also involve the sailors in the training. In the event that they have to engage in a battle with pirates, of course, not only the soldiers are in danger. Everyone needs to know what their duties are in defending their ship.
When Raidon and his thirty soldiers arrive at the ship's gangway, he must first ask permission to board. This was clearly stated in the navy regulations. Anyone wishing to board a ship must first ask the captain or his replacement for permission. It's a bit like the permission needed to enter other people's territory.
"Captain Ryker, can we come on board?"
"You can come on board, Captain Raidon."
Within moments, the soldiers have all marched aboard. On board they have to find their places. On these large ships there is enough space for the soldiers both in the hold and on deck. If the merchant ship also carried a lot of cargo, the space would be much more limited.
Now Raidon and his soldiers are led by Ryker to a spot in the middle of the deck. Here they are the least in the way of the sailors. Once everyone is in place, Raidon follows Ryker to the aft deck. This is the place where both the helmsman and the captain normally stand. If there are important officers on board, they can also often be found on the aft deck where they can communicate well with the captain of the ship.
Once on the aft deck, Ryker gives the necessary orders to set sail.
"Sergei, get that gangway in!" shouts Ryker, with a little later:
"Loosen the lines and push off! Rowers, start at half speed!"
Slowly the ship starts to move forward. Within a few moments, the ship is detached from the pier and on its way. It takes them at half speed almost five minutes before they reach the entrance to the port. Once outside the harbor there is wind for the sails.
"Rowers, get those oars. Mate, hoist the sails."
Ryker clearly has things under control.
The next morning Raidon wakes up early from the ringing of the ship's bell. It is the alarm that sounds all over the ship. He quickly grabs his equipment and puts it on. During the past few exercises, they have agreed that there are several alarms. The alarm that is now sounding means that an enemy ship has been seen, but not so close that there is immediate danger. This gives the soldiers the chance to put on their equipment, which gives a huge advantage in the defense of the ship. By the time the enemy is so close that there is immediate danger, the second alarm is sounded. Then everyone should get on deck as soon as possible to stop boarders.
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When Raidon comes on deck, the soldiers arrive at the same time. Within a few minutes of himself arriving at Ryker, who is at the helm, the three squads of soldiers in formation are on deck.
"Is this another exercise, Ryker? Or did you really see an enemy ship?" asks Raidon to the old fisherman.
"Does it matter? As long as your soldiers do what they have practiced. In this case, there's really something for them to hurry up to."
"Oh yes? Tell! Where then? I don't see a ship anywhere."
Raidon is completely confused.
"A little further away, a tree trunk floats," Ryker notes dryly. "That's a nice exercise for shooting from a moving deck."
Raidon blinks. Is this what got him out of bed? But still, it's not without reason that he put Ryker and Ice in charge of the exercises.
"ICE!" shouts Raidon to the deck. "Right side, ehh, starboard! Your target is that dead tree. It wants to board the ship!"
Squad leader Ice makes no bones about it.
"Soldiers, ready, starboard side! You have heard the captain, an enemy tree has been spotted. Wait for my sign... shoot!"
The soldiers move to the starboard side of the ship and are just in time to shoot their crossbows on command. Most arrows completely miss the tree. So Ryker was right, Raidon thinks. It's harder than it looks to shoot from a moving ship.
"Reload!" comes the command from below. "We're going to turn around to make another attempt."
Raidon looks surprised at Ryker, who explains:
"Ice and I have agreed in advance that if such an opportunity arises, we will do three rounds before we continue. So he knows I'm turning the ship around."
The second attempt is slightly better and the last attempt even better. The soldiers don't shoot perfectly, but already a lot better than the first time. It is clear that they understand that the ship is moving and they have to take that into account.
"Well, this exercise has proven its usefulness. I'd rather miss it now than when a bunch of pirates really come our way."
Raidon is finally satisfied that he has been called out of his bed.
It is two days sailing to reach Estera. The second day there is no practice. Not because the targets are now hit every time, but more because even the experienced sailors have had to tie themselves to the ship. Just after noon, the first heavy autumn storm arose. Everything that was not fixed was thrown overboard. Without the experienced sailors, it would never have been possible to survive the storm.
To be less noticeable, they beach the ship a long way from the city. The ship is gently sailed onto the beach, so that everyone at the front of the ship can disembark. From there, Raidon and one squad of soldiers go ashore to enter the city. Ice and Ryker stay behind on the ship to guard it. After about a kilometer of marching, they see the gates of the city.
When they arrive at the gate, they are stopped by the guards.
"Halt! Who are you and what do you want in Estera?" asks the sergeant of the guard.
"I am Captain Raidon of the New Legion. We are here to recruit people for our unit," Raidon calmly replies.
"New what? Never heard of it. You can't get in without laying down your weapons and then you'll go with me to my commander!"
Raidon can hardly believe his ears. Not only have the warriors of this garrison never heard of the New Legion, but they are placing him and his soldiers under arrest? That's really not acceptable!
"Sergeant, would you believe us when I show you the empress's warrant?" replies Raidon, after which he searches his pouch for the document.
The sergeant needs very little time to look at it.
"I can't read myself, but this is the imperial seal. You can keep your weapons, but I will send someone with you to escort you to the barracks. Then the commander can decide what to do with you."
"So, so you are that New Legion I've heard about?" asks the commander of Estera's garrison a little later.
The man is a major who has risen through the ranks at the end of his career. His place of employment is seen as an easy post where the commander is usually an almost retired officer who is serving out his time. In this case, it is also the commander's hometown. The garrison consists of about five hundred warriors.
"Yes, major," Raidon replies, "I have brought a small unit to your city."
"Right, and what do you want in my city? It doesn't happen every day that strange units arrive in Estera."
"It may be a strange reason, but we have come to see if there are people in Estera who want to join the New Legion. The Empress has given us permission to recruit everywhere in the empire."
The commander looks at Raidon with piercing eyes.
"So, if I understand correctly, you want to steal my best people and you have permission from the Empress to do so?"
Raidon can hardly contain his laughter. It's always the same with the regular army, always thinking the worst. Even this major who rose from the ranks.
"No, major," Raidon continues with a smile, "the people we are looking for are the poor of the city. Unlike the regular army, anyone can join us. Equipment and everything is taken care of. That is why we are looking for the people who are of little use to you."
The major has to think for a moment, but then he gives his permission.
"Fine, as long as I'm not bothered by you, you can count on my support. Is there anything else you need for now?"
"Maybe so. I have heard that you have quite a bit of experience in fighting at the border. Did you happen to serve in the South as well?"
"Yes," the major hums, "I have served nearly three-quarters of my career in the South. Why?"
"Well, according to the reports, the south is very weakened at the moment. The generals have sent every available man to the north, but there are too few men in the south. Chakra is now expected to launch a new offensive in the south. Should that happen, the standing orders are to retreat to Borna. That means that almost the entire south is being abandoned."
"WHAT!" shouts the major. "Do they want to retreat to Borna? What idiot comes up with that! Then we might as well give up right away."
"Indeed, that's exactly what I thought. What I would therefore like from you is all the information you have about the south, the situation there and anything else that may be useful. We of the New Legion have been given the task by the Empress to prevent this retreat."
The major seems to calm down a bit after hearing this.
"You're going to stop things there? Then I understand that you are looking for people to help. How many are do you have right now? I seem to remember that something like a hundred men had been found and that no more would be called?"
"We are still a small unit, Major," Raidon replies, "but we have already managed to expand something. If I can find thirty recruits here with you, I am satisfied. We do not have more equipment at the moment. If there are many more registrations, we will probably come back again soon."
"Hmm, thirty could work. I think there are a few hundred people who would be interested. We live here quite remotely and even though there is not much work, no one just leaves. It’s way too far to travel without knowing if there is work at the end of your travels. I will give you a guide to the square where they are looking for work. Then you should be done in no time. Are you sure you don't want more people?"
"No thanks, major, I don't have more openings at the moment."
Two days later Raidon leaves Estera. Not only has he found his thirty recruits, he is also saddled with a whole bunch of other people. The major couldn't resist looking for people himself, so Raidon now has way too many people. So many that he can't take them all with him on the ship. For that reason, he sends one of his squads overland with the recruits towards Aran.
"Squad leader Ice, you and your men will stay here in the barracks until the commander has his people and stuff together. He has promised us some supplies and equipment that will go with you. I expect he has gathered another eighty men, but I can't be sure. Depart in three days at the latest, then keep the best pace the recruits can handle. In any case, try to teach them how to march along the way and if you can, teach them some formations as well. I hope you will be in Aran within two weeks, but that is not a fixed date. I don't know how the roads run from here and in what condition they are. Use your own insight."
Raidon himself leads his forty recruits to the ship. Since he leaves a squad behind, he wants to take those extra ten recruits with him. "I see you've exchanged some people in town, Captain," Ryker greets him from a hill near the ship.
"Yes, the commander was kind enough to make more people available than we can take with us. So Ice will bring them overland to Aran," Raidon replies. "Can we set sail right away?"
"Well, that will be a bit difficult. As you know, we are not in a port and we have beached the ship to drop you off. What we didn't think about is that the tides would get away from us. As you can see for yourself, we have to wait until the tide is high again before we can sail. The ship is completely on the beach!"
Raidon looks at the man in amazement. Does he really mean this? But moments later, it's all too clear that Ryker was right. When Raidon comes to the top of the hill, he sees not a ship in the water, but a ship on the beach while the sea is tens of meters away.
"Well, then we can start training our recruits. That's about all we can do now."