time for a brief refresher for some and an introduction for the others. What is the smallest unit a battle maiden and her unicorn will operate from? You there, what’s your answer?”
She was pointing at Rebekah, “It’s the squad, which is anywhere from four to eight riders.”
“Do you agree with her?” Welsh pointed a finger at the other girl chosen from Helden, who nodded.
“Okay, how about you?” The accusing finger was now directed at Kayleigh. She didn’t want to agree with Rebekah on principle and the way Rider Welsh asked the other girl implied that it wasn’t the answer.
She thought about seeing the scout a few months ago. “One rider and one unicorn.”
“Correct. A scout or a message courier will often operate by themselves or in pairs. The basic field unit is the squad, which is commanded by what?”
“A Senior Rider.” The answer came too quick for Kayleigh to spot the speaker.
“Good! What formation is next?”
Kayleigh didn’t know the answer and was glad someone else said, “Section made up of three to six squads and commanded by a Lead Rider, or a Lead Senior Rider.”
“Almost, you forgot a Lieutenant,” Rider Welsh said and adopted a grin, “We have to have something for our officers to do.”
That drew a glare from Lindsey Sheppard, who was brushing her mount’s coat nearby.
Kayleigh followed as more information was given to her. Sections might be responsible for patrolling a Duchy or a medium-sized city. Two to four sections were a company that would be led by at least a Captain. Three or four companies were a battalion commanded by a General and there were five battalions on the Blessed Continent – one for each the north, south, east and west. The final battalion was stationed at the High-King’s capital city. Rider Welsh was a member of that battalion, on loan for the recruiting trip. The lesson continued for another hour before they were dismissed for the evening meal.
In about two hours, they would be in Miros. Kayleigh could sit and watch the choosing ceremony and the warrior demonstration she’d been denied back in Helden. She was looking forward to it. The maidens that were here weren’t prone to showing off. The most Kayleigh saw was when Lieutenant Sheppard used Thunderhooves to encourage the recruits to get out more quickly.
The wagon train was called to a halt in the middle of the road shortly after Sir Aeric’s hawk returned.
“I wonder if we’re making a quick trip to a stream.” Ellen stated.
“Seems kind of silly if we’re within ten miles of Miros. We can get fresh water there – along with another banquet.” Francine replied. “It’s kind of chilly this far north. Isn’t it still supposed to be summer?”
Speculation ran rampant when one of the mounted soldiers told Ben to come up front. He looked back at the girls and told Kayleigh to come up and sit in his spot. He handed her the reins and told her to make sure the horse team didn’t go anywhere. The other girls started asking her if she could hear anything.
Like ten whole feet makes a world of difference!
Majherri came alongside of the wagon and looked at her in what she could only describe as amusement. She pointed up towards the group gathering at the front wagon and gestured with her head. He must have guessed what she wanted him to do and the unicorn started walking up there.
She watched him casually trot next to the wagon behind the group. He paused to nibble on some grass.
He’s pretty good at eavesdropping. I’ll have to remember that!
Less than a minute passed and Majherri’s head snapped up and looked at the talking group. He immediately started back to Kayleigh.
“Hey Ellen, toss me an apple. Majherri knows what’s going on.”
“You don’t have permission to touch your unicorn, Kayleigh,” Francine warned in her mouse like way.
She smiled back and said, “I’m just going to give him a little apple. He looks hungry. I certainly won’t be trying to
She was pointing at Rebekah, “It’s the squad, which is anywhere from four to eight riders.”
“Do you agree with her?” Welsh pointed a finger at the other girl chosen from Helden, who nodded.
“Okay, how about you?” The accusing finger was now directed at Kayleigh. She didn’t want to agree with Rebekah on principle and the way Rider Welsh asked the other girl implied that it wasn’t the answer.
She thought about seeing the scout a few months ago. “One rider and one unicorn.”
“Correct. A scout or a message courier will often operate by themselves or in pairs. The basic field unit is the squad, which is commanded by what?”
“A Senior Rider.” The answer came too quick for Kayleigh to spot the speaker.
“Good! What formation is next?”
Kayleigh didn’t know the answer and was glad someone else said, “Section made up of three to six squads and commanded by a Lead Rider, or a Lead Senior Rider.”
“Almost, you forgot a Lieutenant,” Rider Welsh said and adopted a grin, “We have to have something for our officers to do.”
That drew a glare from Lindsey Sheppard, who was brushing her mount’s coat nearby.
Kayleigh followed as more information was given to her. Sections might be responsible for patrolling a Duchy or a medium-sized city. Two to four sections were a company that would be led by at least a Captain. Three or four companies were a battalion commanded by a General and there were five battalions on the Blessed Continent – one for each the north, south, east and west. The final battalion was stationed at the High-King’s capital city. Rider Welsh was a member of that battalion, on loan for the recruiting trip. The lesson continued for another hour before they were dismissed for the evening meal.
In about two hours, they would be in Miros. Kayleigh could sit and watch the choosing ceremony and the warrior demonstration she’d been denied back in Helden. She was looking forward to it. The maidens that were here weren’t prone to showing off. The most Kayleigh saw was when Lieutenant Sheppard used Thunderhooves to encourage the recruits to get out more quickly.
The wagon train was called to a halt in the middle of the road shortly after Sir Aeric’s hawk returned.
“I wonder if we’re making a quick trip to a stream.” Ellen stated.
“Seems kind of silly if we’re within ten miles of Miros. We can get fresh water there – along with another banquet.” Francine replied. “It’s kind of chilly this far north. Isn’t it still supposed to be summer?”
Speculation ran rampant when one of the mounted soldiers told Ben to come up front. He looked back at the girls and told Kayleigh to come up and sit in his spot. He handed her the reins and told her to make sure the horse team didn’t go anywhere. The other girls started asking her if she could hear anything.
Like ten whole feet makes a world of difference!
Majherri came alongside of the wagon and looked at her in what she could only describe as amusement. She pointed up towards the group gathering at the front wagon and gestured with her head. He must have guessed what she wanted him to do and the unicorn started walking up there.
She watched him casually trot next to the wagon behind the group. He paused to nibble on some grass.
He’s pretty good at eavesdropping. I’ll have to remember that!
Less than a minute passed and Majherri’s head snapped up and looked at the talking group. He immediately started back to Kayleigh.
“Hey Ellen, toss me an apple. Majherri knows what’s going on.”
“You don’t have permission to touch your unicorn, Kayleigh,” Francine warned in her mouse like way.
She smiled back and said, “I’m just going to give him a little apple. He looks hungry. I certainly won’t be trying to
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