A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor-Chapter 1131 The Next Patrol - Part 2
1131: The Next Patrol – Part 2
1131: The Next Patrol – Part 2
“…To put it in the most pessimistic terms, I would be forced to agree with that,” Oliver said.
“Pessimism, is it?” Karstly said, his smile fading.
“If you would be upfront with me, and say whether it was true or false, rather than trying to soften the blow for yourself, this matter would go a lot more quickly, and I would be much less likely to grow irritated with you.”
“It is a nuanced matter, General, so I have responded with as much nuance as I can give you,” Oliver said.
“If we think about it in your personal terms, then perhaps that would be true.
If we think about it in terms of my army, it is far from such.
You did not return to us with this promise of added strength fulfilled, and so, you have indeed failed,” Karstly said.
“I suppose that is the heart of it,” Oliver said, dipping his head.
“You have much to make up for then, it would seem,” Karstly said.
“To be able to shirk your duties for a week, and get off scott-free for a wartime crime as inflammatory as starting fights with your fellow men… That simply does not sit right with me.
Something must be done.
Colonel Gordry – these were your Blackthorn men.
What would you like to see done?”
“For fighting, and possibly putting men out of action?
I would say a whipping is due,” Colonel Gordry said.
“Ah, yes,” Karstly nodded.
“A whipping.
That’s a fine idea.
Ten lashes of a harsh whip across your back – that would teach you to stay your hands away from violence…”
Gordry nodded his satisfaction deeply into his chest, seeing the foregone conclusion.
He didn’t even bother to smile or gloat.
Somehow it was made worse by that fact.
“However,” Karstly said.
“That too would be counterproductive.
As much of a volatile element as you might be, Captain Patrick, it is still true that we have need of your strength if we are to maximize the efficiency of your force.
One could even say that your strength is far more necessary to us than the likes of those three men that you struck.”
The Colonel looked up in an instant, his eyes flashing.
Karstly raised up a hand as if predicting his outburst, forbidding him from speaking.
“I have heard the circumstances around this matter,” Karstly said.
“I have spoken with the Commander that oversaw the events, and I have had Samuel give me reports on this Captain Hawthorn and the conduct of his troops.
Tut, tut, is all I can really say.
For Blackthorn men – or at least, Blackthorn bannermen, for they clearly have not been trained by you – the conduct is rather disappointing.”
“…Truly, General?” Colonel said.
“If it’s enough for you to label it as such, I will speak to the man.”
“There is no need,” Karstly said.
“I have spoken with Captain Hawthorn quite enough already.
I do not expect all my men to be heroes of the highest competence – but the stench of incompetence that they give up must be little enough that it doesn’t burn a hole in my nostrils.
The man has been relieved of duty.
He will be demoted to the rank of infantryman for the remainder of this campaign.
It will be up to you, Colonel Gordry, to find a more fitting replacement – and to see that these unruly men of his are disciplined.”
“Dismissed..?” Colonel Gordry said, seeming not quite to believe the word.
“But good General, in times of war like this, to make such changes… It would upset the cart too much.
They would be an ineffective force.”
“Ordinarily, yes,” Karstly said.
“But this is a poison that can not be allowed to spread any further.
That it has begun to affect other units, that is a problem that we can not allow to proliferate.
It will be stamped out now before it can go any further.
We need not think only of the days ahead, but the months.
Colonel, it is well within your duties to see this problem fixed.
And, I would see it to that these three men that Captain Patrick fought with are executed, as an example for their fellow troops who wish to play at jokes, when the rest of us are busy with war.”
It was an unbelievably harsh declaration, and certainly not of the degree that Oliver would have expected to hear, going into the tent as he had.
He kept his eyes pinned on the floor, as Karstly gave out those harsh sentences.
He felt as if he was ducking from arrow fire that was sure to come his way given due time.
“That goes for the rest of you,” Karstly said.
“Retainers of mine, do you think you are free from the sin of laxness?
We are at war.
If I see contentment in your eyes because of stagnation, I shall become angry.
Hindering progression in any form – I dislike that to the greatest of degrees.
You had best remember that Colonel of the Blackthorns.
There is a time for discipline, and there is a time for play.
Your time of play must not interfere with another man’s discipline.
I assume you know that already.
Make sure those Hawthorn men know.”
Of all the people in the room, Oliver thought that the only one pleased by the current flowing of events was Verdant. frёeωebɳovel.com
Karstly was expressing the same opinions as he, and he was meting out the justice that Verdant had sought with Lasha Blackthorn the week before.
When he bowed his head, he did so with reverence.
Karstly noticed the gesture.
“Oh?
You approve, do you, Lord Idris?” Karstly said.
His tone was not a particularly happy one.
“Forgive me General, I simply felt the need to show a better level of respect,” Verdant said.
“…Again I am reminded how the Patrick men breed their oddness.
Though, I suppose, I am not entirely against it.
Oddness I can use.
Weakness, I have no use for,” Karstly said.
