Free lastkingsamazon by Chris Northern Page B

mentality would overlook. Much of his work is on that level.”
    Abrat was glowering. “You would say more?”
    If I were inclined I would say that all the calculations in a general's mind are worthless unless his command structure, indeed every single man, has a clear idea of what is to be achieved in the conflict. Units can get separated, the situation can change, and communications can break down, and take time even if they don't fail. If a separated unit has a clear understanding of what needs doing it doesn't matter if they haven't an officer left, they can still assess the situation and act to achieve the objective. Urindas speaks always as though the only person who has to know what is planned is the general. All the calculation in the world is useless if it only exists in the general's head. Not that it would be possible to share everything with everybody, but as much as they can understand and are likely to need should be drummed into their heads right down to the last soldier.
    “ In direct contradiction to what I am thinking, no. But then, I am not in command of an army.”
    “ Nor are you likely to face us in a battle,” Larner commented dryly.
    “ But I will be in competition with my peers. Why should I put my ideas in the public domain?”
    “ At twenty-two you suddenly decided to begin the career you should already be some years into? Do you have in mind a wholly military career, like your uncle?”
    “ I intend to be what I am to the best of my abilities, no more and no less.”
    Hettar nodded approval. “A patron of the city.”
    It is what I intended. I intended to succeed. And I would. However, I did not intend to bask in my father's pride. Or in that of anyone else. I did not intend to make friends or be loved. I intended to succeed as much as I needed to in order to be left alone to please myself. It was a short term plan, not a lifelong projection.

    #

    “ Strawberries.”
    Gatren's disinterested voice giving me the password for the day as I entered the commander's tent had become familiar to me, a part of the daily routine. He always leaned forward slightly and pitched his voice for my ears alone. Pointless as everyone there would know the password.
    I ignored him, as usual, and a stepped a little further into the tent to wait to be acknowledged. In four days I had once more slipped into the expectation of a prompt dismissal to deal with my already assigned task – to do nothing, in other words. Again I was slightly surprised when beckoned to come forward.
    “ Sumto Cerulian, take command of the right flank for the day.”
    I saluted and acknowledged the order, was dismissed and left. I didn't ask the reason, there could be many, ranging from a stomach bug to verbal dispatches that only a commander could be entrusted with. The commanders to hand were for Tul to use as he saw fit, changing their assignments every day if he felt inclined to do so.
    Over breakfast I told Kerral to look after things and asked him where the hell I would find my command and who would likely be their captain. He did not disappoint me.
    “ The knight Yebratt Shaheel will be with the vanguard by the time we are ready to march.”
    I didn't berate him for stating the obvious fact that the captain, indeed all of the horsemen, would be knights. That is what equestes means, after all, of the equestrian rank. Pretty well off, basically, and of noble birth or raised to the nobility, though that happened rarely enough to be truly notable.
    I guessed that he thought I should know who it would be and he was right. “I'll pick your brains about the complete command structure later, Kerral. I should know, and I don't.”
    “ As you say, sir.”
    I found Yebratt just where Kerral had said he'd be waiting for me. He was a big, friendly man with ginger hair and, unusually, sported a beard. He saluted with a grin. “Orders sir?”
    I couldn't help returning his easy grin. “I think we will string out in two's a half mile out at