Endless training. That’s all Daelon and his century had been doing for the past six month. Daelon had tried to break up the monotony as much as he could but it was difficult in the heart of the Empire. There was simply nothing for a soldier to do here. Well not anything that wouldn’t get them into trouble anyways. Brothels, gambling dens, drunken brawls in the local inns had been plaguing the troops stationed here. Soldiers were not meant to sit and train for endless periods of time. There were meant to fight wars.

Daelon ran the drills set down by General Malin, well if the rumors were true Ex-general Malin, and some of his own. In the heat of battle it was not enough to know the drills by heart, sometimes you had to react instantly, reflexes honed by more then training against dummies.

“DIE IMPERIAL SCUM!” a loud shout came from a copse of trees near the field where they were training. Out of the trees poured fifty or so armed brigands taking his century by surprise. Daelon merely smiled. ‘Late as always Jarash,’ Daelon thought as he drew his sword. He could feel the swords hunger for combat which almost matched his own.

“Sergeants! Reform your men, extended line, stand ground!” Daelon called out to his troops as the enemy swept down upon them. Sergeants started shouting commands to the soldiers who were scattered over the field sparring, watching, or simply resting. Almost immediately his disciplined soldiers were formed up in his extended line. The standard formation was just too short for his taste. True it was deeper but he could sacrifice a little depth to make his front line longer making it more difficult for the enemy to flank him. Daelon rushed to his primary position right in the front line.

“Draw swords!” Daelon shouted over the shouts of the rabble that charged down upon them. In one motion his troops drew swords and lifted their shields to the ready position. It sounded as if only one man had drawn his sword, their timing was perfect. ‘Hades, we’ve had 6 months straight to work on it,’ Daelon thought offhand. He could almost feel his sword word quiver in delight as the mob was almost upon them. Too bad this was only training; his blade would not be quenched today.

The “enemy” came crashing upon them in a deafening roar. The “enemy” was shouting insults, slurs, and other obscenities at them. His men remained relatively quiet and their line barely shifted from the momentum of the charge. Daelon found himself squared off against a rugged looking lad wielding a huge two handed mace. ‘That’s going to hurt’ Daelon thought, hopefully the lad remembered this was just a mock combat. The boys first swing was so clumsy that Daelon was able to duck the blow aimed directly at his head. Maybe the lad was too caught up in the moment. Daelon swung in a low wide arc aimed at his opponents legs. He jumped back quickly and Daelons blade bounced off his leg armor. The lad smiled as he brought his mace straight down on him. ‘Too easy,’ Daelon thought. He brought his shield up and deflected the blow just his side, enough so that the lad lost balance and stooped forward. Daelon brought his sword up into the lads gut. “You’re dead,” Daelon whispered and felt his blade urge him to keep going. Daelon held the tip of his sword steady. The lad fell down on the ground and played the part.

Around him his troops made quick work of the brigands. Daelon pulled a whistle out from under his mail shirt and blew it. The battle was ending anyways and this stopped it totally. Men on both sides helped each other up and complimented each other on a great fight. A lean, tall man came walking towards Daelon from across the mock battlefield.

“Good to see you again Daelon Straton!” the man called cheerfully.

“You were late again Jarash,” Daelon shouted back as Jarash drew closer.

Jarash wore a face of mock confusion. “I thought I was here at the prescribed time! Oh silly me if I had shown up on time, maybe you’re troops would have been even more prepared,” Jarash said playfully.

Daelon smiled and shook his head. “You know I would never compromise my soldiers training,” Daelon said matter of factly.

“Of course you wouldn’t friend,” Jarash said seriously. “It was a good fight, your men will not be ambushed easily,” Jarash pointed out in a more serious tone.

Daelon frowned noticeably. “What we get ambushed by here, school children?”

Jarash laughed loudly to the point were several nearby men resting turned their heads and stared quizzically. “You know school children can be dangerous!” Jarash exclaimed as he stopped laughing. “See you at Garttles Inn later on?” Jarash asked.

“You know I can’t drink that swill Jar,” Daelon said with a hint of longing in his voice.

“I know Dae, but you know I’ll never stop asking,” Jarash said with a grin on his face. “I’ve got to get my troops back to their post. Have a good one buddy,” Jarash said with a final hand wave.

Daelon watched as Jarash formed his men up and marched off. He sheathed his sword and could feel the resentment it felt for being cooped up. ‘Hopefully not much longer my friend,’ Daelon thought as if to the sword itself. ‘A new General could mean some action for us,’ Daelon thought hopefully.

“Sergeants form up your men,” Daelon shouted above the chatter. With his command the Sergeants needed to do little, the men formed up effortlessly on their own.

“Excellent job today men, you stayed cool in the face of danger and that’s the difference between living and dying in battle. Take the rest of the afternoon and evening off, we’ll find someone to cover your watches. Dismissed!” Daelon said with formality and saluted his men. They saluted back and the individual sergeants led their men off the training field.

‘Time for some rest and relaxation’ Daelon thought as he headed to his officers quarters.