The Choice of Magic - Michael G. Manning Page 0,150

the company with the most veterans up front?”

Sven shook his head. “First, this is just while we march, but I have no doubt they’ll put us up front in the first battle as well. They put the green soldiers up front for a reason. If we get an easy fight and win, we build morale. If we don’t, we soften up the enemy for the veterans to clean up after us. The veterans are less likely to run if things go ass-up too, and we can’t run if they’re behind us.”

“Balls!” exclaimed Dave. “How do I get put in a veteran company? This sucks.”

Tiny laughed. “That’s easy. Live through the first few battles. After enough of us die, they’ll probably reorganize us into different companies.”

“Bullshit,” said Dave. “We haven’t had a real war in over fifty years. Who are they to say who’s experienced and who isn’t?”

“At least the veterans have fought bandits and whatnot before,” said Sven. “That’s more than we can say.”

Something occurred to Will then. “Sven, you served a full contract before. Why didn’t they put you in one of the veteran companies?”

“I’m a conscript now,” replied the older man, “so I don’t really count. More importantly, they don’t make new companies out of nothing but green soldiers. They always mix in a few old timers to help the boys grow into soldiers.”

“Who are you calling a boy?” asked Dave belligerently.

“You,” said Sven pointedly. “You can’t even have a drink without starting a fight or trying to steal something.”

It seemed as though a fight was imminent, but Dave relaxed after a tense moment, then he replied, “I never drink when I’m stealing.”

Maybe he’s maturing, thought Will.

***

They woke up well before dawn on the day they left, and even as they were beginning to take down the tents, Will saw several groups of horsemen leave the camp. “Where are they going?” he asked Sven.

“Scouts,” said the veteran. “They have to make sure the engineers don’t get ambushed.”

“Engineers?”

Sven laughed. “The ones who check the route and clear obstructions. The column can only march as wide as the narrowest point, otherwise everything goes to shit.”

“I never thought it would be so complicated,” observed Will.

“You haven’t seen the half of it yet,” said the old soldier. “First scouts, then engineers, then they’ll send us. They’ll send the companies out in intervals with some space between us in case there’s an obstruction, so we don’t all pile up. Behind the main body the wagons will follow, and then behind them the rearguard. We’ll stop at the new camp before the rearguard even leaves this place.”

“Huh? How does that make sense?” asked Will.

“You’ll see,” said Sven. “We’ll be preparing the camp for a couple of hours before they reach us. We probably won’t march more than five hours. And this is a small army. It gets even worse with a larger force.”

Sven’s words proved to be accurate. Company B led the column, marching five abreast through the morning. They stopped at noon and after a brief rest they were put to clearing brush and digging latrines. Men were also sent out to collect wood for the evening fires, and others began setting up tents and preparing food.

In the late afternoon the wagons started arriving, and the drivers and rearguard went to work unloading mules and caring for the horses. Once that was done, the evening meal was started and a variety of minor chores were begun. Watches were set, but most of the soldiers were in their bedrolls shortly after sundown.

Will was glad he hadn’t been assigned to one of the night watches, for it seemed that almost as soon as he had put his head down Sergeant Nash was shouting for them to all rise and begin it all over again. Sitting up, he stared bleary-eyed, at the oiled bag that held his mail, wondering if he should put it on. The army had only covered ten miles the day before, but the march combined with all the labor had made the extra weight a misery.

I’ll still have to carry it, whether I wear it or not, he told himself. And if something does happen… With a sigh, he removed it from the bag and began shrugging it over his head and shoulders.

Chapter 46

The second day’s march was much like the first, except everyone was a little more tired. Will couldn’t help but compare their travel to what it was like alone. A small group on foot could reach the top of