The Red-Haired Knight and The Next Day
Part four of the Red-Haired Knight saga.
Malle awoke with the dawn; clear-headed, energized by the dreams and the experiences of the night. Things that fed her soul, and the things no mortal should ever know. She was supported by Hell with its demons, and by Heaven, with her martyred husband and sons.
The camp stirred...fire tenders stoked the camp's fires to prepare food, to heat water for washing, and for tending to wounds. Soon, Gwyneth would come to see Malle.
After Gwyneth washed and clothed her, fed her the same breakfast as the lowest spear bearer, Malle sent for her Marechal, Julian. She blushed slightly, remembering how the younger man sometimes entered her dreams, but face to face, they were all business. Julian had other interests.
Julian arrived with maps and arms. They discussed the good fortune of the victory. Victory won by having good intelligence, patient planning, and the devotion of troops fighting for their homes. Julian went over his favorite topic— training. "Our people did well, but we can avoid needless casualties by ensuring that our people are fitter, more prepared than their opponents."
"Agreed, and what of our new recruits, those of the enemy that have joined us."
"Generally, they are weak, their Lords did not gather sufficient supplies for the war, and they starved for days before we met them on the field."
"They will eat as our men eat, but at half rations to begin with, our people must not see that we favor those who were mortal enemies just the other day."
"Their stomachs rebelled on just the gruel that kind souls gave them after the battle...they will take some time to make it fit and then they must be trained to our standard of fighting."
"Our troops must be trained to endure fatigue. I saw several die because they were too tired to lift their weapons. All swordsmen must not only practice their skillful use of the weapon, but they must be able to wield it without fatigue. Have posts sunk in the practice fields. Hours of chopping at a post the size of an enemy will harden their arms and give them endurance. One thing this battle has taught me is that war is slaughter, and we have to be the best butchers on the field."
"Yes, my Lady."
"What threats do we still face?"
"My Lady, we met the rashest and most ill-prepared of our enemies, those that underestimated you and hated you the most. Our greatest danger is from the cautious ones, those who waited out this battle: Oisin and Lugh.
"Ah, both wise men, poets and magicians as well as shrewd warriors."
"Indeed, my Lady."
"Strength, endurance and skill may not be enough to defeat these two...especially if they cooperate."
"Yes, my Lady...they have, however, always been cautious and frugal, their war bands are small, though well-trained. They will look to increase their forces before they challenge you, my Lady."
"How much time do we have? A season, will they attack by this fall?"
