center of the hallway, on each wall, are wide single doors that open into barracks rooms. Those rooms contain two rows of pallets stuffed with straw and laid atop wooden frames. The pallets are positioned end out from each wall. On the left side of each pallet is a deep closet used to store armor, weapons, uniforms and personal belonging. On the right side of the pallet is enough open space between the pallet and the storage closet of the next pallet over for a man to stand in. Unmarried lancers are the primary residents. A portion of their pay is set aside as rent for their pallet and to cover meals at the mess hall.
With 20 pallets along each wall, a barracks room can house 40 men. There are two rooms per floor and three barracks buildings. 360 lancers can stay in the barracks. Jalan knows House Yen only has about 200 men housed in them. Approximately 100 more lancers live either on small parcels of nearby land or in one of the villages near Yen Manor.
After entering the ground floor of the barracks, Jalan turns left and slows his pace to walk along the divide between the two rows of pallets. A door at the far end of the room leads to the Command Room. Within the Command Room are two tables and several chairs. Shelves and chests for storage line the walls to Jalan’s left and right. A large fireplace is centered in the Command Room wall across from the entry way. This is the only source of heat in the barracks. As the weather is warm, there is no fire and the fireplace has been swept clean. Two either side of the fireplace are two small windows that allow the only natural light to enter the room.
Standing in the Command Room are the newly made Major Erida, Lieutenant Burk and three other men, Lieutenants Martus, Rinlan and Sert. They suround one of the two large wooden tables and are studying a map that has been spread out upon it. Major Erida looks up as Jalan enters.
“Good,” says Major Erida, “Now that we are all here we can discuss assignments.” Jalan and the four others focus their attention on Erida and listen carefully as he continues. The Major addresses each of them in turn. “Captain Burk, you will lead a company of lancers to secure the area around Southway Outpost. The reports state that there is very little left of the outpost. You will need to take the appropriate supplies and support for one month in the field. Report daily on your status. Reestablish what you can of the outpost. You will be the provisional commander there.”
Major Erida turns to the next man. “Captain Martus, you will lead a similar company provisioned and supported for a month to Midland Outpost. Work directly with the outpost commander, Lieutenant Caser. Secure the area around the outpost and assist in rebuilding and repair. Report daily on your status and have Lieutenant Caser do so as well.”
Now Erida addresses Lieutenant Sert, but Jalan discovers quickly that Sert is now a captain as well. “Captain Sert, you will lead a third company of lancers to Pass Outpost. You will secure the general area and reinforce the outpost. Congratulate Lieutenant Niksus on his promotion to captain and relieve him. Captain Niksus is to return here for further orders. You will report daily on your status.”
Next the Major speaks to Jalan. “Captain Yen, you will lead a company of mounted archers. Find your old archery instructor, Sedic. Inform him of his promotion to sergeant. After Captains Burk, Martus and Sert have formed their companies and moved out, you and Sergeant Sedic will choose the best mounted archers you can from the remaining lancers. You will need to select at least 10 men as the core of your company. As new recruits are trained or skilled riders join us, you will need to add men until you have at least 20 under your command.”
Finally, Erida directs his attention to Lieutenant Rinlan who also must have been promoted. “Captain Rinlan, you will begin a sweep through all settlements within the Yen holdings and
With 20 pallets along each wall, a barracks room can house 40 men. There are two rooms per floor and three barracks buildings. 360 lancers can stay in the barracks. Jalan knows House Yen only has about 200 men housed in them. Approximately 100 more lancers live either on small parcels of nearby land or in one of the villages near Yen Manor.
After entering the ground floor of the barracks, Jalan turns left and slows his pace to walk along the divide between the two rows of pallets. A door at the far end of the room leads to the Command Room. Within the Command Room are two tables and several chairs. Shelves and chests for storage line the walls to Jalan’s left and right. A large fireplace is centered in the Command Room wall across from the entry way. This is the only source of heat in the barracks. As the weather is warm, there is no fire and the fireplace has been swept clean. Two either side of the fireplace are two small windows that allow the only natural light to enter the room.
Standing in the Command Room are the newly made Major Erida, Lieutenant Burk and three other men, Lieutenants Martus, Rinlan and Sert. They suround one of the two large wooden tables and are studying a map that has been spread out upon it. Major Erida looks up as Jalan enters.
“Good,” says Major Erida, “Now that we are all here we can discuss assignments.” Jalan and the four others focus their attention on Erida and listen carefully as he continues. The Major addresses each of them in turn. “Captain Burk, you will lead a company of lancers to secure the area around Southway Outpost. The reports state that there is very little left of the outpost. You will need to take the appropriate supplies and support for one month in the field. Report daily on your status. Reestablish what you can of the outpost. You will be the provisional commander there.”
Major Erida turns to the next man. “Captain Martus, you will lead a similar company provisioned and supported for a month to Midland Outpost. Work directly with the outpost commander, Lieutenant Caser. Secure the area around the outpost and assist in rebuilding and repair. Report daily on your status and have Lieutenant Caser do so as well.”
Now Erida addresses Lieutenant Sert, but Jalan discovers quickly that Sert is now a captain as well. “Captain Sert, you will lead a third company of lancers to Pass Outpost. You will secure the general area and reinforce the outpost. Congratulate Lieutenant Niksus on his promotion to captain and relieve him. Captain Niksus is to return here for further orders. You will report daily on your status.”
Next the Major speaks to Jalan. “Captain Yen, you will lead a company of mounted archers. Find your old archery instructor, Sedic. Inform him of his promotion to sergeant. After Captains Burk, Martus and Sert have formed their companies and moved out, you and Sergeant Sedic will choose the best mounted archers you can from the remaining lancers. You will need to select at least 10 men as the core of your company. As new recruits are trained or skilled riders join us, you will need to add men until you have at least 20 under your command.”
Finally, Erida directs his attention to Lieutenant Rinlan who also must have been promoted. “Captain Rinlan, you will begin a sweep through all settlements within the Yen holdings and
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