Professional Army II

The early morning air was crisp as Edward and Sir Roland stood in the central square of Castle Aurelian, the heart of House Grafton's power. Before them, the full force of the dukedom's thousand-strong army was assembled in neat rows, waiting for the inspection to begin. The soldiers, a mix of seasoned fighters and fresh recruits, were clad in the mismatched armor of those who had joined during the desperate defense against the marauding forces that had threatened their homes.

Edward's eyes swept over the men, his expression unreadable as he took in the sight. Beside him, Sir Roland shifted slightly, a thoughtful frown on his face. Elara stood behind them, her presence as steady as ever, her gaze focused on the soldiers as well.

"We've had this discussion before," Edward began, his voice low but firm. "Now, it's time to finalize our decision. We must consider not just the needs of the present but the future of our duchy's military."

Roland nodded, his brow furrowed. "My lord, the men stand ready, but the question remains—how many do we keep? If we release too many, it could leave them without work, and idle hands may turn to mischief. But if we keep too many, we strain our resources."

Edward turned his gaze to the assembled troops, his mind working through the possibilities. "We'll keep nine hundred," he said finally. "Three infantry battalions will form one proper infantry regiment. This regiment will be the foundation of our new army, trained to the highest standards. We need men who are disciplined, loyal, and capable of defending the duchy from any threat."

Roland seemed to consider this, nodding slowly. "That would give us a solid core to build upon. But what of the remaining hundred? If we let them go, they'll have no means to support themselves. We could be sowing the seeds of future discontent."

Edward's eyes hardened as he spoke. "Those who are not selected will not be abandoned. They can be hired for a different purpose—internal security. I will establish a new agency, tasked with ensuring that the laws of the duchy are enforced, and that order is maintained. They will work closely with Elara's intelligence network, ensuring that there is no unrest within our lands. These men will form our police force, dedicated to the safety and security of our people."

Elara stepped forward, her voice calm and measured. "With the police force working in tandem with the intelligence agency, we can ensure that any potential threats are identified and dealt with swiftly. The people of the duchy must feel safe under our rule."

Edward nodded, satisfied with the plan. "Indeed. We cannot afford to have dissatisfaction among our people. By providing these men with work and purpose, we ensure their loyalty and the stability of our rule. There will be no room for revolution in our lands—not while I lead."

As they spoke, the soldiers in the square stood at attention, unaware of the decisions being made that would shape their futures. Edward watched them, his expression one of quiet resolve. This was not just about building an army—it was about securing the future of his duchy, ensuring that House Grafton would not only survive but thrive.

—

From his position in the ranks, Roderic shifted slightly, trying to maintain his composure as the inspection continued. He was a recent recruit, having joined the duke's forces after his village had been ravaged by looters. The memory of that night still haunted him—the screams, the flames, the utter chaos. But it was the arrival of the acting Duke, Edward Grafton, that had saved them. Edward had ridden into the village with his knights, driving off the attackers and bringing a semblance of peace back to their shattered lives.

Roderic had been one of the first to volunteer when the duke called for recruits. He had wanted to do something—anything—to repay the man who had saved his home. Now, standing in the square, he couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude.

He glanced around at the other soldiers, wondering if he would be among those chosen to stay. The talk in the barracks had been of nothing else for days—everyone knew that not all of them would be kept on. But even if he wasn't selected, Roderic knew that the duke would take care of them. The acting duke was a fair man, and he wouldn't abandon those who had served him.

Roderic's thoughts drifted back to his family—his mother, his younger sister. The money he sent home from his pay was all that kept them going now. If he was released from the army, how would they survive? The idea of returning to his village without a purpose, without a way to support his family, filled him with dread.

But then he remembered the duke's words, spoken during one of the many speeches he had given to the troops: "Serve with honor, and you will always have a place in my duchy. Loyalty will be rewarded, and those who stand with me will never be forgotten."

Roderic clung to those words, hoping that they would hold true. As the selection process began, he steeled himself, determined to do his best. The duke had brought hope back to the people of the duchy—Roderic wasn't about to let that hope die.

The selection was fierce, as he had expected. The knights overseeing the process put them through their paces, testing their strength, endurance, and skill with a weapon. Roderic pushed himself harder than he ever had before, driven by the need to prove himself worthy of the duke's trust.

Every strike of his sword, every step he took, was fueled by the memory of his village burning, by the faces of his family. He could not fail—not now, not when so much was at stake.

Finally, the selection was over, and Roderic stood among the chosen few, his heart pounding in his chest. He had made it—he was one of the nine hundred who would form the foundation of the new regiment. Relief washed over him, followed by a surge of pride. He had earned his place in the duke's army.

But as he looked around at the faces of those who had not been chosen, his pride was tempered with sympathy. They had fought just as hard, and now they faced an uncertain future. But then, the duke stepped forward, addressing them directly.

"To those who were not selected, know that you are not being cast aside. You will have the opportunity to serve your duchy in a different capacity. We will be forming a new force, dedicated to the internal security of our lands. You will ensure that the laws are upheld, that our people are safe. You will work closely with our intelligence agency, under Elara's guidance, to root out any threats from within. Your service will be just as vital as that of the soldiers who will remain with the army."

Roderic watched as the faces of those who had not been chosen brightened with renewed hope. The duke was giving them a purpose, a way to continue serving their people. It was a generous offer—one that Roderic was sure would earn the duke even more loyalty from his men.

As the assembly broke up, Roderic found himself looking forward to the future with a renewed sense of determination. The duke had saved his village, given him a purpose, and now, he was giving him a chance to be part of something greater. The future of House Grafton was bright, and Roderic was proud to play a part in it.