29 Instructor

After the celebration, the air of the city of Vanein became increasingly heavy. Many merchants leave their homes to the capital. All the others move silently through the streets trying to find out as soon as possible when the enemy arrives.

The only movement worthy of note is visible in the castle area. Here, for over a week, there is a continuous coming and going of people. Many bring information and orders from the king, others go out to execute orders and organize.

The explorers report that along the border, the troops of Luberistan are already setting up camps for tents and defense posts. Apparently their army was ready before the problem with the merchants in the mountains.

On the other hand, Olmaria's reign has already prepared its countermeasures. Two regiments are directed to the border to control the access points, while the main force commanded by General Sir Drevor Forb will leave shortly from the capital to the city of Vanein.

The Force of the company's Fate has been enjoined for the war that inevitably short burst. Simon was ordered not to leave the city until further notice. That's why he, Desmond and Selin are guests in three rooms of the palace of Gemma and his father.

At Mountass, the young commander's men prepare for the imminent departure. According to the procedures decided by Simon, a small troop of men will remain in the village if necessary. If possible, during the war, men will alternate in this task.

The three friends are walking through the streets of the city accompanied by their comrade in arms Gemma.

Desmond "I get bored. I had a lot of things to do at home. "

Simon "You're right, but we have to follow orders. So we are available to the Count. "

Selin "True, but I felt that there will be more movement today."

Gemma "Today the first part of the royal troops will arrive. My father said that the first supplies accompanied by a small battalion will arrive today. It will be so every day. In this way they will be able to prepare a field suitable for the bulk of the army. "

Simon "Let's take a look at the wagons, we'll learn something about the official army logistics."

Desmond "It still seems boring."

Selin "We have to go anyway, along with the troops will come also the old friend of the Count. Gemma's father asked a former officer in the royal army to help you with the tactics. "

Gemma "Sir Jason Forb, the current general's uncle. It is part of a secondary branch of the family but he earned a certain name during the war. Now he has retired to the countryside. But from the answer he gave my father and the speed with which he is coming here, I think he is impatient to go on a battlefield again. "

Desmond "How did a baronet get to know such an important person?"

Gemma "Twenty years ago, old Count Uden did not have the experience to lead men into battle so the king sent Sir Jason to join him. In practice, he who has commanded troops and soldiers like my father was him. "

Simon "Come on, I do not want to look bad on the first day."

Desmond "You can not look bad, the Count will have already told him you're a whiner!"

Simon "The next time we fight, you'll jump in the middle and I'll follow you, so you learn to talk inappropriately!"

Desmond "Whining and touchy!"

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A row of wagons approach the city, skirting it. Each wagon is surrounded by about twenty armed men.

Once placed a few hundred meters from the city. The contingent begins to dig furrows the land to delimit the areas, to drain the water and to create adequate latrines. A part of the men system the wagons in the center of the area, then with methodical and studied movements they unload them starting to assemble tents and other equipment.

Simon watches the scene fascinated as he walks curiously along the perimeter. The other three friends went to the castle to observe the scene from the walls.

Suddenly a man beats him in the leg. Simon turns suddenly perplexed. The aggressor is an elderly gentleman. The skin ruined by age. The hair completely white but well kept, completely shaved beard and impeccable clothes. Red-brown eyes combined with thick eyebrows make the look vaguely disturbing.

Simon asks "Excuse me?"

The old "You walk as if nothing were on the perimeter of a military camp. If you're wrong to put your foot, by regulation a soldier could kill you! Stupid!"

Simon shocked "Well ... actually ... how stupid, I was so fascinated by not realizing it."

The old man "All right, since you understood right away I will not give you another beating. Let me introduce myself, I'm Jason. They will have told you about me. "

Simon recomposing himself "Sure, Lord!"

"Well then it will be easier. Let's put the cards on the table right away. I do not care about Count Zacharias and let alone a kid like you. I'm only here because it's the only way I can be on a battlefield. "

"Ah …. OK"

"So, without making fun of you, you will indulge me and I will give you some useful advice."

The two start walking towards the city.

"Boy! Start telling me what skills do you have? "

"It's complicated. It can be said that I have a skill that can help me do many different things. "

"Then you're really bad. I have my idea, who focuses only on his ability loses sight of all other things, someone like you who has more talents is a lost case. "

"What do you mean?"

"How many things have you learned since you have the ability? Do not answer, I'll tell you. None. When one discovers his ability binds his life to it. You have the 'farmer' ability, you'll be a farmer all your life and woe if you accidentally learn something about cattle. Poppycock! "

"I understand, but is not this the base of this world?"

"Of course it is, so if you really want to be someone, overcome this barrier. Do you know what skill I have? "

Simon starts to move his mouth and immediately Jason "Silly not answer, it was a rhetorical question. I have the 'balance' ability. The only one in my family with a non-military ability. So I went into a circus. "

Simon "Really?"

"Of course not! I began to study, twice as much, three times as compared to the others and at the end I have more tactics and information on the war in this balancing head than all the army's chiefs. The ability gives you an extra boost but nothing is impossible. "

"I think that I have understand. But magical abilities can not be replaced by study alone. "

"You're right boy, but even if magic is a skill that can move the balance of a battle, the war is won by thousands of soldiers with skills like 'agriculture', 'weaver' and maybe 'balance'."

The two arrive in the courtyard of the castle.

The old "Quick question. What is your role in battle? "

Simon "Organizing troops, giving orders and then helping in combat."

"When you become a military genius you can afford it, right now, choose if you want to fight in the front line or really do the commander."

Simon is speechless.

"In the last battle, you killed a lot of enemies but if by mistake or fortune one of them killed you, all your men would follow you to the other world."

The boy with a determined look "I will take you to any battlefield if you can correct my mistakes! I can not allow anyone to die unnecessarily because of my stupid decision. My men are my strength. "

Jason "It's the first smart thing I've heard you say since I've known you. Perhaps you have little hope. "

Moving to the area dedicated to the training of the guards "Since I already know your tactics thanks to the stories of Zacharias, let me see how you fight!"

Desmond in a corner of the courtyard feeling approaching "Commander! I'll be your opponent. "

Simon pulls the halberd away from his magic bag while Desmond pulls the ax tied on his back. With a word from the commander the long weapon turns into a sword.

The old man looks amused.

Desmond wastes no time and urges Simon. The blows between the two blades increase in speed.

Jason "Boy do not hold you back just because he's your commander. Massacre him! "

Desmond chases the opponent increasing the strength of the shots. Simon struggles to keep his balance. The third ax stroke brings the swordsman back.

Simon's foot draws the 'cage' rune to the ground. Backing away, Desmond is caught in the enchanted land. The boy takes the opportunity to disarm his bodyguard.

Jason "What infamy! Thank the sky that your friend did not get serious from the beginning, otherwise you would have the broken arm now. But that trick of magic changed the fate of the meeting. "

Simon "I am not a knight. I believe that honor does not serve to console a widow. To survive I will use every means at my disposal. "

"Ahahah I like it, I like it a lot. You are not a desperate case. The nobles are all desperate cases. You have potential. To start you will have to explain to me how your skill works. Tomorrow I want the list of your men. We begin to understand what are the means at your disposal and how to use them to win! "