76 - Retreat 2
"Bremen, how do you think your father would react if I were to pass this law?" Since Bremen came to the palace with the Empress, she has used the young nobleman almost as often as Captain Cervik to test ideas. Just like the captain, he is of nobility, so he can judge how the nobles view things. Unlike the captain's father, however, Bremen's father is one of the people who is very difficult about her reforms.
"I don't think he'll accept this, Your Majesty," the young man replies, "my younger brother is going to the academy in a year or two, so I expect my dad wants as few changes as possible that could complicate my little brother's career."
"But that's nonsense!" From Alyena, "your father must also see that it is only an advantage if our officers receive a better education. What difference does it make if the school gets a little tougher?"
"You forget that most of the young nobles at the academy find their future husband or wife there. Since every young lady and young gentleman comes to the academy for their education, the academy is less important as a training institute, and more important as a mediator between the various noble families. If you change the whole institution to improve the education, then the nobles will no longer have a neutral party to organize the weddings."
Alyena has to think about this for a moment. However, it doesn't take her much time to get around this problem.
"So if I manage to separate those two tasks without that second function disappearing as well, then you think they will accept my reforms?"
"Yes, if you can do that, and preferably without it costing a lot of money, then they will have little reason to work against you too hard."
A few hours later, Alyena has a session with the council of nobles where she presents her plans.
“As you can see, I want to create a new institute that will be located in the city of Maisier, just like the academy. I would like to see it run by a council of three of the most senior noble ladies. Naturally, I hope to receive advice from all of you as to which ladies can best become a problem here.”
“Your Majesty,” begins Councilor Vaughan in his condescending manner, “you didn't expect that to be possible, did you? The academy has existed this way for generations. What you are trying to do now is damaging the traditions of the academy.”
“Councillor Vaughan, I'm afraid you're wrong about that. You talk about traditions of the academy, but originally the academy was founded as a training institute. Just as I want to restore it now. This means that I honor the traditions of the academy. You must understand that at first I only intended to restore the academy to its original role as a training institution. However, I learned that there are other interests at play at the academy. I think these will be completely taken over by the new institute that I am going to establish. In fact, I ensure its neutrality by appointing a council of noble ladies to its main problems. Can you give me other reasons not to implement this reform?”
“I don't think you think the academy has ever been anything different. My family has attended the academy for over two hundred years, and I have never heard anything about it. You don't have my vote."
“If you would have my librarian copy the most important pieces from my private department. Or perhaps you have as little respect for him as for your own empress? In that case I will even allow you to view the original. I hope your old imperial isn't too rusty, because these old books are still written in the old language. Does anyone else have problems with my decree? If not, the change will become official next week. I expected this council to make the recommendation for the matriarchal council of the new institute this week.”
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
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From the bow of the ship, Duncan pauses his work on the ballista to survey the harbor. Not that it looks like a real harbour, like the one in Centurion or even Aran. Still, the soldiers of the first company did a pretty reasonable job. However, Duncan's experienced eyes see areas for improvement everywhere. For example, it would be best to make the piers of stone instead of the wooden jetties that are now there. In addition, it is now impossible to defend the port from the sea side, and the shelters are also only temporary.
Then Duncan's reverie is interrupted by the ship's captain.
“Duncan, what do you think of the port? Nice work for a temporary mooring, isn't it?
“Certainly, as long as it remains a temporary mooring.” He growls in response. His builder's heart cannot stand it when something is not made right.
After docking, they are met by one of Morris' cavalrymen. He indicates that Morris is still on his way back, but that he is expected that same day.
“Shit, they're not back yet? I know we had a strong tailwind, but I expected Morris to be here waiting for us.”
“The detachment was delayed by the wounded who needed to be helped. I don't know the exact numbers, but I think there are about two dozen injured.”
“Hmm,” Captain Ryker grumbles, “that will indeed slow them down. Especially if they also carry all those heavy armor of all the wounded.”
“I think most of the wounded are carrying their own equipment, and I believe the armor of the fallen soldiers has been lost. Otherwise it might have taken even longer.”
Duncan can't believe his ears when he hears that news. As a member of the New Legion, he knows that the armor is extremely valuable. The fact that Morris and his detachment left behind armor does not bode well for their mission. Hopefully there are enough healthy soldiers left to help with the rescue mission.
It takes three hours for Morris' detachment to arrive at their base camp. Then they have to march to the harbour, so it is not until the end of the afternoon when they arrive there.
“Look, there they are!” Duncan shouts as he sees a cloud of dust looming in the distance from his position next to the gate.
A little later the column of the New Legion indeed becomes visible. Ten cavalrymen ride at the front and rear, with eight teams of soldiers in between.
“Hey Ryker, couldn't you have come a day later? We had not even been in the camp for ten minutes when Willem came to report that you were already here.”
“Ha, you can rest fine on the ship, as long as you don't smear too much blood on my beautiful floors.” Immediately after this cheerful comment, the captain of the warship becomes serious. “How did your raid go? I see that there are quite a few people missing, and your man Willem told us this afternoon that you had to leave some armor behind.”
“We lost seventeen men, fourteen of whom were soldiers and three cavalrymen. We also have eighteen injured people, ten of whom are so badly injured that they will remain behind. Harris will remain here with eight soldiers, including the three seriously wounded. Furthermore, seventeen cavalrymen remain with him, including the seven wounded. I can take the other hundred, including twenty cavalrymen. As for those armors, we lost them with two other wounded soldiers when we crossed the river. The damn cart collapsed on its wheels and dumped the whole thing into the water. Only Barend was able to save himself. Like the other two, he had a broken leg, but he was still able to hold on to a beam. I fear the others have drowned.”
“Shit, that doesn't seem like much fun, swimming with those heavy harnesses on while having a broken leg.”
"No indeed. Anyway, let's get everyone on board quickly so we can leave. Harris will ride to Fort Three with our horses, where the others have remained. I didn't think it was responsible to leave such a small number of men in our own camp, so they will stay with the regular army until we return. By the way, has Captain Brandon been able to send a squad or two? Or maybe even a whole platoon?”
“Ha, he even managed two.”
“Shit, only two squads. That is going to be a tough one, from what we have seen, thousands of warriors have been sent to Raidon.”
“Fortunately there are not two squads, but two whole platoons.”