CHAPTER 3: First Day of Work
The Guard’s quarter were in a two level building that stretched for almost 50 yards or the length of the small barony castle. As Evan stood just inside the door he couldn’t help but be surprised at all the goings on. Guardsmen and servants were everywhere moving with a purpose and going up and down the stairs. Guards typically going to and from their quarters to a shift or training and the servants preparing food, washing clothes, sending messages and whatever it is that the servants do.
“Evan you’re a little earlier than expected”, Thomas the Guard Captain rumbled.
“Sorry Thomas, I just wanted to get a head start on the day”, Evan quietly responded.
“Its Captain to you now Evan. I suppose you wouldn’t know that yet though would you. This here is Daniel, he will be training you and teaching you the ropes” said Thomas pointing at a man in the corner.
Daniel stepped out of the shadows and nodded slightly at Evan. The man appeared to be in his late thirties with close cropped brown hair and deep eyes. He wore a well polished but clearly heavily used mail and had a short sword with a filigreed handle at his waist, an uncommon sight on a guardsman. Daniel turned and walked out the front door gesturing for Evan to follow.
“Good luck Evan” Thomas rumbled as Evan quickly followed Daniel out the door.
Outside Daniel swiftly walked toward a short square building with crenulated stone covering the top and one of the guardsmen standing outside. As they walked inside the guardsmen nodded at Daniel. Inside the door was a small area where only a few men could stand at a time and a wooden counter with two clerks standing behind it, one of the clerks had a huge nose and overly large spectacles, the other was asleep at the counter with his head held in his hands. Beyond them appeared to be a heavy steel door with a lock that was currently open. In the area that Evan could only assume was a vault was a series of weapons racks, normal storage shelves, and boxes all pilled high with weapons, uniforms, and equipment.
“Mark, this here new recruit needs his equipment” said Daniel.
“Oh? Its been a while since we’ve had a new recruit. Whats his name? He looks familiar” replied the clerk on the right, the one with the big hooked nose and overly large spectacles.
“Uhhh…” Daniel dragged out looking to Evan for help.
“Evan” Evan stated.
“Just Evan?” asked the clerk.
“Evan Woodsbane” Evan replied.
“Oh! A Woodsbane! I remember my da telling me stories about a Woodsbane. Said he was the finest tracker and woodsman in the barony, mayhaps the kingdom. Any relation?” gasped the clerk.
“He is…was… my father” replied Evan quietly.
“Oh…” replied the clerk.
An awkward silence fell over the three the silence only punctuated by the occasional snores of the other clerk.
“So how about that equipment” asked Daniel, finally breaking the silence.
“Yes. Yes. Right. I’ll be right back. Though I don’t know if I have anything that will fit a man his stature” the clerk stated staring all the way up at Evan.
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While the clerk went to grab his equipment, Daniel spent the time filling Evan in on how things worked around the castle and in the town guard. Daniel explained that while Wheaton had its own separate guard from the castle guard, they were all housed in the castle since they were basically one entity. Daniel explained that since he was a single man, he would be housed in the guard’s quarter and have a shared room with another guard. Daniel explained that single men got free housing and food and that they had to live in the guard’s quarter, but the married men could live anywhere in town and got a stipend in their pay for each child they had and for their food and housing. Daniel said that he thought this was because the Baron wanted the single men to marry the women in the town to help tie them to the land, keep them around, and because after the last war there needed to be a bit of repopulation.
As Daniel nudged Evan in the side with an elbow and raised his eyebrow at repopulation the clerk finally returned.
“Here you go. These should fit well enough to get you started. We don’t have anything else, and we don’t do custom orders so maybe you can purchase a better fitting uniform if you’re going to be sticking around” the clerk said handing the large bundle of equipment and a sword and shield to Evan.
“Sounds good” Evan quietly replied.
With equipment in hand Daniel quickly led Evan back to the guard’s quarter and deeper into the building to a series of rooms. Daniel stopped at a room with the number ten etched into the door.
“Here you are lad. Go ahead and settle in. Dinner will be served at about 6 pm in the chow hall at the other end of the building. Find me there at dinner and I will explain more about your duties tomorrow” said Daniel cheerfully as he quickly walked away as Evan had noticed was his habit.
Evan put his personal items away first, emptying the small rucksack he had on his back into the truck that slid underneath his bed. There was a standing dresser where he put a single one of his personal items, his chainmail from Jon, and the rest of his newly issued equipment. After this Evan sat down and took a good look at his room.
The room was small but large enough to accommodate the two beds, two dressers, and two small night stands that currently occupied it. The door opened directly into the middle of the room and there were two small windows, one above each bed. The other side of the room from Evan appeared to be unoccupied as a layer of dust currently covered all the items in the room. Evan spent the next hour busily cleaning the room until he heard 6 bells chime signaling it was time for dinner.
Evan exited his room and turned left continuing down the long hallway headed opposite of the entrance. As he walked, doors to various rooms he passed continually opened as more and more men joined him on the walk to the chow hall. The conversations of the various men washed around him as he quietly took it all in, simply observing.
Inside the chow hall was exactly as he expected. A small serving counter manned by two servants who were dishing up food to the hungry guardsmen, and about 10 round tables each holding room for 6 men. After getting his food, a delicious meal of corn, some type of stringy meat, and a roll, Evan scanned the room looking for Daniel. Evan spotted him sitting, again, in a corner. Evan made his way to Daniel’s table expertly dodging the hungry guardsmen quickly lining up for their servings like he had done it all his life.
“Have a seat Evan. I’m sure you have plenty of questions. I’ll answer them but let me give you your schedule for the week first” Daniel slurred slightly as he took a sip out of his mug. Next to him were five more mugs just like it except empty.
Evan nodded, quickly tucking into his plate and waiting for Daniel to continue.
“First, everyday starts an hour after sunrise. You’ll get up and go grab a breakfast and then meet the trainers in the training yard on the east side of the building. This week they’re going to see what skill and fitness level you’re at. After your morning training session, you’re going to shadow one of the guards as they go on their afternoon patrols through the town. Just show up half past noon on the second floor in the first room to the right. That’s the roll call room where every guard goes before shift. There, the sergeant on duty will give out any pertinent information and make any changes to the guard roster and rotation. Now any questions?” Daniel said as he hiccupped his way through the information.
Evan shook his head.
“Well, I’m off to sleep. I’m off tomorrow and have a date with the finest lady in town” Daniel declared loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear as the stood up and knocked his chair over.
“Nite” replied Evan.
Shortly after finishing his food and returning his plate and tray, Evan made his way back to his room. As he walked Evan listened to the raucous laughter and tall tales coming from the various rooms in the hall. Evan thought this might not be so bad after all.