Stiger’s Tigers (Chronicles of An Imperial Legionary Officer Book 1) (3 page)

“Poor, but passable for wagons,” Karol admitted. “Imperial maintenance crews repaired it just three years ago, so there should be no significant problems for the supply train.”

“I don’t see any towns and villages,” Stiger stated, not seeing any listed on the map, which he found odd for such a long road.

“There are—or were—a handful of what you might call ‘farming communities’,” Edin admitted, “really the remnants. I personally would be surprised if you discovered anyone left.”

“Reprisals?” Stiger asked, looking up at Edin. He already knew the answer.

“That was my predecessor’s work,” General Kromen answered carefully. “A nasty business, though he did a good job in clearing the bastards out. There should be no one left to support the rebels, at least we think, until you get to Vrell. The valley’s population is not with the rebels. For some strange reason, they seem to think of themselves as imperials, or at least descended from imperial stock. That said, they are not exactly friendly, at least according to Captain Aveeno’s last reports.”

“Captain Aveeno could have sent a force to break through, could he not?” Stiger asked.

“Not very likely,” Mammot answered with a heavy breath. “Captain Aveeno, the garrison commandant, is a bit cautious. He likely would have put everyone on short rations and kept them in defense of the castle and valley, rather than take the risk of losing additional men.”

“Aveeno comes from a good family,” General Kromen wheezed, speaking up in defense of the man. “However, he is a timid sort, which is why he is commanding a garrison instead of leading a line company.”

Stiger nodded, understanding what had not been said. General Kromen was likely Aveeno’s patron, hence his defense. “A good company should be able to get through, then,” Stiger said, looking down at the map once again. “Should the rebel forces operating in the area prove superior, a company will likely be able to get word out or at least fight its way back.”

“Excellent,” Kromen said, looking from Eli to Stiger. “How would you like the job? I have an absolutely terrible company that just became available. With your experience, you are perfect for working it into shape!”

Stiger was surprised he was being given a mission that would take him away so soon after arriving. Though marching with unfamiliar men into territory overrun by rebels was not a terribly appealing idea to the captain, his initial impressions of the legionary encampment led him to believe that such a march would be preferable to risking an untimely death by lingering sickness. He knew that the command he was being offered was most probably, as the general said, a truly terrible assignment. The men, if they had been idle for months, as he suspected them to have been, likely would be sick, poorly equipped and out of shape, and discipline would be lacking. So it all came down to risking potential death from slow lingering sickness and disease or possible death by sword … Stiger intentionally drew out the silence, as if he was mulling it over. Surely there were other, more effective companies that could be more readily chosen. The two generals, he knew, were also making light of the assignment, so that it seemed too easy … too good. That bothered Stiger, and he wanted to know why, but could not come right out and ask.

“I will need to outfit the company for a hard march into the wilderness,” Stiger said.

“You can draw anything you might require from supply,” Kromen responded almost a little too quickly, which surprised Stiger. What wasn’t he being told here? He had known that his arrival might be viewed as a headache for General Kromen. Stiger’s family had influence. His presence here might be viewed as someone’s attempt to place a spy within the southern legions, a spy who was possibly reporting directly to the emperor and/or Kromen’s enemies in the senate.

“We need to open communications with Vrell,” Mammot added. “We can issue your company fresh arms and equipment. I will also assign some of our most experienced sergeants to help you work them into fighting trim.”

“Can I meet and approve of the sergeants first?” Stiger asked. He had known some pretty terrible sergeants, from ass kissers to sadistic bastards. Instead of being dismissed from the service such men were frequently transferred from one unit to another.

“Of course,” Kromen said.

“How long until the supply train is ready?” Stiger asked, thinking about the training of his men. He needed time to become acquainted with them and work them into shape. All legionaries received the same basic training. It was a matter of restoring discipline and finding out how rusty they had become.

“Two weeks,” Mammot said. “At least, we hope the train will arrive within two weeks, but certainly no more than four. It is due to leave from Aeda any day.”

“Good, that gives me some time,” Stiger said. He looked at General Kromen, thinking hard. “I want to train the men my way, with no outside interference.”

“Acceptable,” General Kromen said with a deep frown. The general did not like being dictated to, especially by a young, impudent captain, even if he was a Stiger. Still … Kromen wanted Stiger away and was willing to put up with it.

“That will involve training outside the encampment and living beyond the walls,” Stiger added. “I need space to prepare the men … practice marches, build marching camps, arms training …”

“If you are willing to brave a rebel attack outside the protection of the walls, you can do whatever you flaming wish,” Kromen said, his tone beginning to take a dangerous edge, betraying a mounting anger. “Anything else you require, Captain?”

“No, sir,” Stiger said, pleased at having escaped the confines of the encampment so easily. He was sure that this assignment would not be easy. In all likelihood, whatever he had been set up for would prove to be a real challenge. “I will take the job.”

“Very good.” General Kromen flashed an insincere smile. “Colonel Karol will arrange to have you introduced to your men. He will also see to outfitting your needs.” Kromen waved dismissively, indicating the meeting was over.

Stiger saluted along with Colonel Karol. They turned and left, emerging onto the porch, with Eli in tow. Stiger found Captain Handi resting in the same chair. The captain shot Stiger a look that spoke volumes. Doubtless Handi would be looking for ways to get his petty revenge. Stiger simply ignored him.

“You have a tough job ahead of you,” Colonel Karol admitted. “The men I am giving you are in truly terrible shape, and have been poorly led. Their previous commander was executed for gross incompetence. His real crime, however, was excessive graft and not sufficient, shall we say,
sharing
.”

“I have always enjoyed a challenge,” Stiger replied softly.

“Let us both hope this particular challenge does not kill you,” Colonel Karol responded. The colonel glanced to the side at the lounging officers and noticed Handi’s smoldering look aimed at Stiger. “Captain Handi, be so good as to personally fetch Sergeants Blake and Ranl. They should be working over at my headquarters.”

“But sir, it’s raining,” Captain Handi protested, gesturing at the steady rainfall beyond the cover of the porch.

“I rather imagine that the emperor expects his legions to operate in all types of weather,” the colonel responded rather blandly. “Have them report on the double to the officer’s mess.”

Colonel Karol turned away and stepped out into the rain. He led them along the improvised boardwalk system toward another smaller ramshackle wooden building with a chimney billowing soft, blue-gray smoke.

“Wouldn’t want that spoiled bastard to get his fine boots muddy now, would we?” Karol asked sarcastically once they were out of earshot. Stiger found himself beginning to like the colonel.

Two

The officer’s mess was packed with officers seeking shelter from the rain and an escape from the constant boredom of life at camp. The talking ceased as the three entered, with all eyes going toward Eli as he pulled back his hood.

The colonel led them to a table in the back, near the fire, and politely ordered the current occupants to find a new table. Stiger and Eli removed their traveling cloaks and hung them on hooks near the fire. Once seated, the drone of conversation at once picked up with much whispering about the “elf.”

“We have a real problem,” Karol said quietly, so only they could hear. “This is the rainy season and the legions are being eaten away by sickness and disease. It happens every year, but this year it is worse. Unfortunately, the enemy seems to know it. They are more active than usual, and General Kromen expects the main rebel army to make a move as soon as the ground is firm enough. The general has consolidated much of the power of the southern legions here. Our allies … the auxiliaries have been sent to man the forward outposts to the south that the legions once held. We were losing men to pinprick attacks. The consolidation was ordered to avoid losing any more men; however, we are now losing far more to sickness than we ever did to the enemy.”

Colonel Karol leaned back in his chair and was silent for a few moments before continuing. “I will not lie to you. I expect you will run into trouble on the way to Vrell. The legions, with the exception of a few patrols, have been confined to the encampment. This has given the rebels free reign in the countryside. I don’t think you will run into any real organized resistance. It is likely you will face nothing a good company could not handle. However, the last supply train that got through was hit hard. There are rebel sympathizers everywhere, and much starvation in the countryside. Expect word to spread. Wagons full of supplies may be just too tempting a target.”

Stiger said nothing. A female slave brought a tray of hot tea and some small rolls to the table. She sported multiple bruises and a black eye, which Stiger took to reflect the mood of the encampment. She poured each of them a cup of tea and left without a word.

“The company I am giving you is the 85
^th
,” Colonel Karol said. “They just came in from a border outpost within the last week. Unlike the other companies that have been camped here a lengthier time, they are not yet incapacitated with sickness. I appointed Lieutenant Ikely to temporarily command until a suitable replacement could be found. He is new as well, with no real experience, but seems to be a good man. He will make a good executive officer for you, I think.”

“I see,” Stiger said, taking a polite sip of his tea, which was terrible. He grimaced with disgust. Eli had not touched his and looked reproachfully at his captain. Stiger decided that he would refrain from having more. There was no telling where the water had come from, and with the condition of the camp, it could easily be diseased.

“I have removed the company’s sergeants,” Karol explained. “The two I sent for are veterans. They are among my best and should be able to help you rebuild a proper company.”

Stiger took that to mean that he could not reject them, no matter what General Kromen had agreed to. Should he protest to the general, Stiger would likely make an enemy of Colonel Karol, who seemed to sincerely want to help. Stiger simply nodded, knowing that he was now stuck, for good or ill.

“You can promote anyone else within the company you wish. It is yours to do with as you like.”

“Yes, sir,” Stiger said. “Do you have any detailed maps of the countryside between the encampment and Vrell?”

Karol nodded. “I will speak to General Mammot and arrange to have a set of maps sent to you.” He looked sourly down at his own tea, which he had yet to touch. “You can ask for anything reasonable you may require from the depots.”

“Written orders to that effect may help, sir,” Stiger suggested hopefully. He had encountered more than one supply officer who believed his job was to accumulate supplies rather than distribute them.

“Your formal orders should be arriving from General Kromen shortly,” Colonel Edin said. “If there is one thing the general does efficiently, it is the delivery of formal orders. That said, I will send you an amended set later this evening, authorizing you to requisition anything from the supply depots you reasonably require. Will that be sufficient?”

“Entirely,” Stiger was very satisfied. At least he should not want for supply.

The door opened and two sergeants entered. Once again, the conversation stopped. Several of the officers near the door looked as if they were about to protest in outrage. This was officer country, and a refuge from the brutes. Colonel Karol called for the two sergeants to join him, and with that any potential protest died. They approached the table and snapped to attention.

“Sergeants Blake and Ranl, I would like to introduce your new commanding officer, Captain Stiger,” Colonel Karol announced. Conversation in the mess erupted at the mention of Stiger, with many officers turning to get a better look. Karol shot them an irritated look.

The two sergeants were older men, both in their late thirties. They had the quiet look and air of competence that came from hard service. They looked tough and showed no emotion at being introduced to a Stiger. “I am transferring you both to the 85
^th
. You are to help whip the men into shape.” The two sergeants said nothing, but continued to stand at attention. Colonel Karol turned to Stiger. “They can show you to your new company. Questions?”

Stiger had some, but decided not to ask anything at this time. He would need to get to know Colonel Karol better before probing for answers. Besides, there were too many interested parties in the mess.

“No, sir,” Stiger responded. “I believe I have all I need at the moment.”

“Very well … I will leave you to them, Captain. Congratulations on your new command. I wish you the best of luck. Oh, and welcome to the 29
^th
Legion.” With that, Colonel Karol stood. Stiger and Eli politely stood as well. Karol nodded slightly, then turned and left without another word.

“Please sit,” Stiger said, resuming his place at the table. The two sergeants sat as directed. They showed no discomfort at sitting at a table in the officer’s mess with a Stiger and an elf. Perhaps the colonel had given him good men after all. Based on how he had handled Captain Handi, the colonel definitely did not seem the sort to tolerate fools. “This is Lieutenant Eli’Far. Have either of you served with the High Born?”

“Aye, sir,” Sergeant Blake admitted in a rough voice. “Both of us served in the Wilds, with the Able Legion.”

Stiger nodded, pleased at what he had just heard. Among the legions, the fighting in the Wilds, a little over twenty years ago, was the stuff of legend. The elves had joined the empire for the campaign in the Wilds. It was the last time the nations of the High Born had fought alongside humans before retreating within their own borders. It had been a very difficult campaign nearly shattering those legions that had been involved. If these men had survived that ordeal, they were likely very good, and more importantly, had had their share of hard experience.

“Do you know the 85
^th
?” Eli asked.

“Aye sir,” Ranl admitted, a sour expression crossing his face. “We were asked to look them over. They are a terrible bunch. Discipline is awful and they have lost their self-respect.”

“Well, the 85
^h
is now ours,” Stiger growled. “We are going to reform them.”

The sergeants said nothing. They did not look terribly thrilled.

“Can both of you write and manipulate numbers?” Stiger asked.

“We both can,” Sergeant Blake confirmed.

“Who is better with numbers?”

“That would be Ranl, sir,” Sergeant Blake said quickly, nodding at the other sergeant. Ranl shot Blake a mocking sour look. Stiger could tell both men were old comrades and good friends.

“Ranl, you will keep the company books,” Stiger ordered.

“I was afraid of that, sir,” Sergeant Ranl said with a lopsided smile. “I was cursed with an affinity to numbers.”

“We will go see the men,” Stiger continued. “I want the company packed to march as soon as possible. We will be leaving the encampment today.”

“Today?” Blake asked, obviously surprised. “Sir, it is already midafternoon and will be dark by the time we can get them organized to leave.”

“We are leaving,” Stiger said firmly, lowering his voice so only those at the table could hear. “This encampment is a deathtrap. I think we will be safer outside it than in.”

Blake and Ranl shared a rapid look before Blake nodded in agreement.

“Some friendly advice, sir … I would avoid the water if I were you.” He gestured at the tea on the table, a look of disgust crossing his face. “Drinking that is sure to give you the green apple quick step.”

The conversation abruptly ceased once again as the door banged open loudly. All heads turned to see Captain Handi enter, a stormy expression on his face. The staff captain briefly scanned the officers in the mess until he found Captain Stiger.

He stalked over. “Your orders,” he hissed, acid in his voice. He threw a sealed envelope down upon the table, then turned and left the officer’s mess without another word. Stiger noticed that the pampered captain was dripping wet, and his once-perfectly polished boots were covered in mud and muck. The hum of conversation resumed once again with more animation. Camp life was tedious and any drama, no matter how petty, helped to alleviate the boredom.

As they watched the pompous captain leave, Ranl flashed an evil smile. “I do believe I might enjoy serving under your command, sir,” he said.

“Right,” Stiger responded, scooping up the orders and standing. He would study them later. “Let’s go see the men.”

***

The men were not particularly impressive. Paraded for review, they were standing before their tents, clearly miserable under a steady downpour. Their current misery was a secondary concern for the captain. The sooner they all got out of the encampment, the better.

Stiger had just finished introducing himself and explaining his expectations, which he considered simple. In short, his expectations boiled down to honor, courage and loyalty to both unit and empire. They were the watchwords by which he lived his life, and he would communicate them by example and force of will alone if necessary.

Lieutenant Ikely was standing beside him, clearly nervous at having abruptly learned that he would be under the command of a Stiger. The lieutenant was a young man, fit, with short, close-cropped sandy blond hair. He had a pleasant and positive air about him that contrasted starkly with the officers in the encampment. Since the lieutenant was also new, perhaps he had simply not had time to become jaded. Or it may have been youthful optimism and excitement at his first posting.

Stiger was familiar with the Ikely family. They were a loyal and honorable house, though they lacked the prestige of senatorial rank. Not formidable enough to be powerbrokers themselves, the Ikelys were clients of the Agadow family, which made them a loosely tied ally to the Stigers, and not a direct enemy. Stiger was lucky in that respect. Having a member of a rival family as his second might have complicated things a bit.

“Sergeant Blake,” Stiger called gruffly. He had thought about adding to his comments, but decided against it. There would be time for additional words later. Now it was time to leave.

“Sir?” Blake responded, turning toward his captain. The men wore their helmets, which kept their faces and hair reasonable dry in the rain.

“Break down the tents and gather up the mule train.”

There was a collective groan at this, which demonstrated to Stiger just how far discipline had fallen. The men might typically complain to the sergeants and corporals, but in Stiger’s experience they would never dare do it before an officer. Such displays could prove fatal for the common legionary, as any officer had the right to flog a man to death at will, for even minor infractions. This shocked the captain deeply, as it was a small rebellion, which, if allowed to fester, might rear its head later.

“Aye, sir!” Blake replied, becoming visibly enraged at the men’s response to the captain’s orders. The sergeant turned, along with Ranl, shouting orders laced with profanity and directing legionaries to their tasks. Both sergeants waded into the ranks that were falling out. Men who did not move fast enough were cuffed or shoved roughly by the two large sergeants. Ikely moved forward to help.

What should have taken less than thirty minutes consumed more than an hour. Stiger was not at all surprised. The men moved almost lethargically. Though he did not like it, he understood why. Filthy and ragged-looking, they were living like animals. Half the men were missing proper marching sandals. More disturbing, they looked hungry, almost starved. It was a testament to the supply problems in the encampment.

Stiger recalled the cavalry lieutenant asking about conditions on the road to Aeda. Though he and Eli had not encountered any problems, perhaps the enemy was much more active than he had realized. No matter, he thought. The first objective was to get the men out of the encampment and to a place where they could clean up and get a proper meal. Then the real work of setting things right could begin.

“Sergeant Ranl,” Stiger called, beckoning the sergeant over to him. Ranl came at a trot, sloshing through the stinking muck, to where Stiger had been conferring with Lieutenant Ikely. “I want you and the lieutenant to go find the officer in charge of supply. Get us food for three months, extra mules and a couple of wagons. If you are able, make sure the mules are in good shape. I also want fresh footwear and tunics for the men. General Kromen made it clear we can have anything we want.”

“Yes, sir,” the lieutenant said, making an effort to conceal his nervousness.

Stiger pulled out a gold Imperial Talon, more than a year’s salary for the common legionary, and handed it to the lieutenant. “Present this with my compliments to the officer in charge. You can share my orders from General Kromen, should he require them. Colonel Edin is writing an amendment to our orders to requisition whatever we require. Make sure the supply officer understands that should he keep me waiting on the amendment, I will not be pleased. Understood?”