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Post by XuLiang on May 11, 2023 4:31:25 GMT
The captain laughs with Ryland. “That is a truth if I have ever heard one. Please sit. Have you eaten? I have worked to keep the men and women busy to keep discipline. It helps that all the projects either make us safer, more comfortable or get us food. Have you come to take command?”
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Post by Ryland on May 12, 2023 0:54:26 GMT
“I’ll stay and share a meal with you. If you don’t mind I will wait in camp until the others return from the castle. I don’t need to assume command. Everything I saw on the way in shows that you are doing a great job. My plan is to leave for shadow once I share information with the others.” Ryland takes the seat offered.
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Post by XuLiang on May 12, 2023 3:57:06 GMT
The Captain makes a hand gesture and a shadow at the back of the tent leaves by the back flap. He sits down with Ryland. “Thank you. It was a bit rough at first but when I left Lord Mortius’s officers in charge of most of the men and made it clear I was trying to improve all our situations most of the resistance settled down. The few examples necessary were only for thievery from locals. The men mistakenly thought they could loot and plunder in a country that is clearly under Amber’s protection. They are currently working in work gangs to undo the damage they have done without the benefits those volunteering for those duties receive.”
The soldier returns through the back of the tent with a small roast chicken and a large bowl of mixed vegetables, mostly a purple potato looking tuber with a sprinkling of green herbs and carrots. At the side something that looks like a large green apple, but is much flatter and donut shaped. The soldier, a tough as nails looking grizzled veteran, lays it out on the table between the men quickly and efficiently.
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Post by Ryland on May 12, 2023 23:03:31 GMT
Ryland looks down at the meal. "A feast! I'm swinging by your armies more often, Captain Lu Meng."
Then to the solider, "Your work is appreciated, solider."
Ryland waits for the captain to sit and then starts eating, making small talk as they eat.
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Post by XuLiang on May 13, 2023 4:41:33 GMT
The soldier nods at the complement and fades back into the shadows at the back of the tent.
“Thank you. It is the best we can do at the moment. It is best for armies to be on the move, or someplace well supplied. We currently are neither of those things.”
“When we approached the locals to buy supplies our foraging parties were meet with armed levies and militias. I had to personally go and negotiate with the Mayors and reassure them that were not invaders and would abide by their laws and the laws of Amber. They then shared their plight. These rains have saturated the ground and flooded many fields to uselessness. They were reluctant to sell us any food because they were unsure they would be able to feed themselves.”
He goes back to eating his gruel from the bowl.
“Luckily some of my men grew up on rice farms so they understand irrigation. We have been using that knowledge and the manpower of the army to drain some of the flooded fields of nearby villages. We hope with the increased production there will be enough to feed us and the villages if we are here.”
“Honestly, I hope we move out to a new campaign. With no loot or plunder the men are a bit disappointed with the last foray. Being paid helped but they lack purpose. The officers are understanding but restless and ambitious. They want to make a name for themselves and earn a fiefdom.”
The gruel is quickly finished. He then takes a teapot from a small hibachi and pours a cup of tea for each of them.
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Post by Ryland on May 17, 2023 19:13:59 GMT
Ryan’s considered the new information. “Yes. That does put you in a pickle. I don’t have any insightful suggestions past what you are already doing. I suggest keeping your plan of action, and await word from the castle.”
Ryland slowly swiped his tea, lost in thought.
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Post by XuLiang on May 18, 2023 5:10:54 GMT
The crusty soldier clears the table and seeing that Ryan seems lost in thought, the Captain starts to read some reports. After getting through a few. He stands and stretches. “I need to walk about and review the progress on some of the projects. And I might loose a few arrows at the range before coming back.” He will wait to see if Ryan wants to join him or remain in the dry tent and then set out.
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Post by Ryland on May 26, 2023 2:14:54 GMT
"If you have an unused tent, then I will just get some rest." Ryland replies.
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Post by Admin on May 26, 2023 5:46:17 GMT
The next morning is as grey and gloomy as always. The Captain has the army in a state of business, doing all the usual army things. Ryland feels someone is watching him from the woods; Martin again or someone more sinister?
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Post by Ryland on May 27, 2023 0:18:25 GMT
Ryland grabs his weapons and heads out. He leaves them sheathed and looks around outside of camp, past the watches. To see if he can find anyone watching, or posing a threat to the army.
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Post by XuLiang on May 27, 2023 8:19:05 GMT
After taking his things to the dining tent the old soldier shows him to a tent on officer’s row. It is small and sparse but has a cot, camp desk and stool. The soldier grabs a set of saddle bags from in front of the cot and throws them over his shoulder. He salutes Lord Ryland until dismissed. (OOC – If he asks, it isn’t his tent, It’s the Captain’s. He usually sleeps in the Command tent anyway.)
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Post by Ryland on May 31, 2023 0:59:44 GMT
Ryland acknowledges and salutes him back, then dismisses him.
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Post by Admin on Jun 3, 2023 3:18:47 GMT
Alone in the tent with the sounds of a busy camp all around, his solitude is interrupted by the mental pressure of an attempted trump contact.
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Post by Ryland on Jun 9, 2023 19:02:47 GMT
Ryland settled into a comfortable position and takes the call.
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Post by Admin on Jun 15, 2023 4:57:58 GMT
#s://i~ibb~co/CW3jzFV/Bleys~jpg His father eyes him with a skeptically raised eyebrow as the connection solidifies. "Here I was under the impression that you were off leading armies about, but now I see you living the life of Riley.
"How long has it been since we last rode together?"
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