glad you like it Oddey.
Chapter 9
Sergeant Duncan gave the men a few minutes to prepare themselves, and rung the bell again. The soldiers, old and young, ran into the courtyard from different directions and assembled themselves into a smart(ish) looking unit, much in contrast to the previous performance.
Duncan pointed at the closest soldier in the front row and said “You, go to the officers room and tell the captain we're ready.”
The soldier did not say a word and ran into the stone section of the barracks, soon returning with the tall captain behind him. The captain walked right up to Duncan and asked “Are they adequately equipped, Sergeant?”
Duncan, even outside, could smell the man's clothing suffocating him, but luckily for him he had been in their service for over 6 years, and so had grown resilient to it. Every one of those years in their service had been spent in Haydurg, too.
Duncan looked up at the man, wearing his breastplate as usual, but also an iron helmet for battle purposes, and noticed his left cheek was slightly swollen. “Yes sir.” He replied.
“Good. Now lead the men out of the South gate and around the town palisade until you reach the Eastern side. I will catch up with you once I find my horse.” Captain William San ordered.
“Okay sir.” Duncan began to walk away when William grabbed his shoulder, making him stop immediately.
Duncan thought he had offended him at first, but relaxed once he realised he was giving him further orders. “Do not attack until I say so. Right?”
Duncan nodded solemnly and continued once more to the front of the ranks. With this William left the courtyard and headed for the stables.
Duncan picked up the large, round shield he had left leaning against the wall, knowing that no other soldier would take it; it was meant for the sergeant. It was plain enough, only displaying a metal boss in the centre. Sergeant Duncan had tried to get the old blacksmith that used to live in Haydurg to fix a spike to it, but never got around to it, and eventually the blacksmith moved to Fawlentide; a bigger town and better for trade.
Slipping the heavy shield onto his arm, he went about ordering the men to march in tow, as he led them to the Southern gate of Haydurg behind the barracks.
Johnson marched alongside Bill within the ranks, looking at his crippled, and now swollen, hand. How was he going to wield his sword with this thing? It was bad enough having a blunt and worn blade for a weapon, without having to deal with the inability to even hold the hilt firmly enough to pierce another man's flesh.
“Reckon these outlaws'll put up much of a fight?” Bill asked him. Johnson looked straight ahead as they marched and replied “They better not.” To which Bill laughed.
The unit, led by the sergeant, eventually reached the Eastern side of the Haydurg palisade, and Duncan ordered the men to stop.
“Men, turn to your right, and do not move until ordered to do so.”
The soldiers clumsily turned to face the wood a fair distance ahead of them, some of the men that had shields lay them on the grass, so they didn't become tired of holding them unnecessarily. Sergeant Duncan walked to the front once again, facing the wood, and pulled his axe from his belt, sliding his hand down the wooden handle until it was almost at the end; perfect grip for chopping.
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you've caught up with me now. may be a bit of a delay for the next chapter.
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