made their choice when they chose to follow their blasphemous prophet.”
“That was generations ago, Duke Lustral,” argued Will. “These people had no choice in what their ancestors did. Moreover, I have promised to give His Majesty a functional asset to increase the power and might of Terabinia, not a war-torn husk. We are not going to burn and pillage our way through Darrow, because every farm, every mill, every town and city, is going to become part of the wealth of our greater nation once this war is brought to a close.”
The duke’s cheeks were beginning to color. “I’m not sure you’re thinking clearly, Lord Arenata. I’m aware that you aren’t of gentle birth, but surely as a native of Barrowden you bear some justifiable animosity against the people who burned your village?”
A vision flashed through Will’s mind, his little cousin Doug, being kicked to death by soldiers while Barrowden burned. The memory still filled him with anger, but the lesson he had learned was not the one that Duke Lustral seemed to expect. He caught the duke’s eye as he replied, “Have you ever seen a child kicked to death by soldiers, Lord Lustral?” When the other man didn’t reply, Will continued, “I have. I also saw my aunt dragged from her house and stabbed to death. I’m still furious about it, but the men that did it are dead now. What I won’t do, is repeat their mistakes by visiting the same kind of misery and suffering on the innocent citizens of another nation.”
“No one is advocating for the murder of children—” Lustral started to protest.
But Will cut him off, “No one ever advocates for it. But men easily become beasts in time of war. Whether it’s because of the cruelty we all hide in our hearts, or a reaction to the fear and adrenaline that comes in battle, I don’t know. What I do know is that we must guard our actions carefully to avoid becoming the very thing we hate. Discipline and communication are key. Our soldiers will know what we expect of them, and they’ll also know the consequences for such behavior.”
The duke’s eyes narrowed to angry slits. “You intend to destroy morale by starting this war with warnings of what punishments will be meted out to men who fight too enthusiastically? Don’t be naïve. Certain things, while distasteful, are a necessary evil.”
“I was a soldier, Duke Lustral. I’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a shield wall and felt the icy chill of fear as a thousand men came at us with their spears pointed at our hearts. What kept us in that wall weren’t thoughts of vengeance. Morale is built upon the trust of the men on either side of you, and that trust comes from training and discipline. Rewarding your soldiers by allowing them to rape and pillage doesn’t breed discipline, it degrades it.”
“You’re wrong,” said Lustral, grinding his teeth.
“You’re welcome to your opinion, Your Grace, but I’m the one that’s been put in charge of this campaign. Until such time as that changes, I expect everyone here to make sure their soldiers maintain proper discipline. I will outline exactly what that entails at our next meeting. Just remember this. We lead by example. Whether you agree with me or not, I expect you to make the men believe you do. I will hold not only the soldiers, but those in charge of them responsible for any barbarity. Depending on the circumstances, that could go all the way up to those of you in this room with me. Am I understood?”
“You don’t have the right!” spouted Lustral, outraged at the threat.
Will kept his face calm, or at least he hoped he did. “Here at home? No, I don’t. But from the moment you put your uniform on and we go marching to war, you will fall under my authority. Not only will I hold my officers to the same standard as our soldiers, I will hold you to a higher standard. As you pointed out earlier, I’m a peasant by birth. I don’t give a damn about conventions, etiquette, or titles. Cross me at your own risk, because I will have justice on any man who disobeys me, and consequences be damned! I never asked for this title. If the king decides I’ve overstepped my bounds and strips me of it after the war is done, I won’t complain, but don’t think your rank or station will prevent me from exercising my authority until that