Saint Gerald Castle
Training Grounds
The training grounds of Saint Gerald Castle is a massive open ground, used by the regular soldiers of Zalsac. From combat training to formation training, this is where it is held.
The men in the training ground are taught to master three simple but important things in the army.
Command, Logistics, and Armaments
If one were to enter the training grounds they will be met by an elevated wooden platform at the other side of the entrance.
This is where speeches and orders are issued. Mostly used by Captain Barov, who at the moment is at the Great Forest of Pluma. Leading the men as the deputy of Lucius.
This is where men are taught to listen to Command.
The left side of the assembly grounds is full of boxes and barrels filled with supplies essential for long journeys, or as the case today, an expedition to a village within Zalsac. Carriage wheels, ropes, and such lying in an open shed. Essential materials necessary for a short or long march, are under the open shed.
This is where the men are taught the importance of Logistics.
On the right side of grounds, a building made of stone stood. Usually guarded by five or more men. Its double doors thick and heavy, a security measure added to delay any unwanted people from entering inside. This is the small armory of the training grounds. The weaponry inside are all important assets of the barony.
From swords to maces, shields to bows, and helmets to armors, some are stored in here. The rest hidden away in a more secured location in the castle.
The soldiers training in the grounds are taught the use of various weapons from the stored armaments here. From the newest of recruits to the oldest of the veterans, they all bled one way or another because their combat training.
This part of the grounds taught the men the importance of Armaments, how they use it and how they maintain it.
The sun beat down upon the training ground, its heat felt by those gathered here.
A cloud of dust forms as a large number of men gather. Some walking whilst some running, either way they are gathered here for something.
More and more men are making their way to the training grounds. As they fill the massive open space, their noise and shouting echoes through this place.
The once quiet and solemn atmosphere of this Military facility now loud and noisy like the docks at Waldr.
Soldiers wearing leather armor and barbute helmets are arriving, one by one from their respective posts. Perhaps the source of the men's noise came from their consfusion.
This summon is unusual for the men, no prior notice apart from the loud shout of the servants from the castle to gather here. No drills or mission were scheduled for today, or at least they knew of that warrants the attention of the entirety of the soldiers in the castle.
As the noise and shouting of the soldiers continued. Ecish emerges from a door which leads to the side of the Castle.
A massive war hammer strapped on his back as he is wore a plate armor and a steel helmet. A piece of this armor is worth many.
Sir Ecish, the right hand of the late Baron, Lord Arguile, and the current Baron, Lord Prewell, were wearing armor. The assembly grounds fall silent as he arrives. A sign of foreboding was felt by the men.
The people are now focused on Ecish. The soldiers' eyes widened and mouths opened as they looked at the emerging Ecish.
Ecish approached the platform across the entrance. He halted as he neared the steps which led a top the platform. Turning back as he looked at the Zalsac soldiers, a slight frown covers his face. Saying nothing to them as he shook his head, he closed his eyes as he crossed his arms.
The soldiers fell silent, the once ruly and noisy men now all but silent. Perhaps ashamed of the state that they were in when one of the great warriors of Zalsac first saw them.
It began with a single soldier, moving towards a certain position. Then, one by one the men followed. Soon a semblance of a military formation is beginning to emerge. The dazed soldiers still staring at Ecish now began to awaken. Soon they too adjusted their positions. Slowly but orderly they formed two long rectangular formations.
They occupy the center of the training grounds. As it once more returned to silence. There were four hundred and fifty soldiers here. Two hundred and fifty of those are men at arms, the regular troops of Zalzac's.
The best among the serving troops in the barony. A force which sole duty is to stand by and await the baron's order. The entourage which Prewell took with him to Waldr consisted of these men.
As for the rest of the soldiers in the training grounds, they were the castle guards. Two hundred men composed of veterans from other settlements garrison and recruits whose loyalty were tested since their young age.
They are the sons of the men and women serving the castle. A mix of novice and veteran soldiers, they are the ones who maintain the security of the castle. Often also tasked with assisting the few farmers which live near the western gate of the castle. A small group of people welcomed by the Lord to cultivate the surrounding fields.
These soldiers are the backbone of Zalsac against the looming threat of the creatures of the forest.
As the soldiers stand in formation in the middle of the training ground.
Heavy footsteps echoed, rhythmic and unified, a large group of well coordinated men can be heard marching. As one follows the source of the sound, they will hear it coming from the open entrance behind the soldiers standing in formation.
From an arched opening in the mustering grounds, the echoing footstep source of the echoing.
Ecish, who had his arms crossed and eyes closed, opened his eyes. His once calm attitude now full of solemnity. 'Lord Prewell's hidden force, around two years ago men of unknown origins began serving as dungeon guards. From tens to now hundreds, their suspicious nature once a source of scrutiny among the people in the castle. Only through the Lords guarantee and explanation did the everyone accept these muted soldiers existence.'
'One of the few secret that the Lord asked me not to inquire of.' A small smile appears in Ecish solemn face.
An open secret, a secret that he knew, but shouldn't ask about. The Lord trusted him enough to tell him about such a hidden force. As for where they came from and how they came to serve Zalsac. It doesn't matter to him, for as a servant, one must know boundary.
As long as they are beneficial to his Lord, he won't ask nor let anyone who shouldn't know, ask.
What his Lord wish to be unknown will remain unknown, he will see to it.
Even if extreme measures are to be taken.
The silhouette of the men approaching can now be distinguished.
Clang clang
The mix of footsteps and steel clanging, caught the attention of the soldiers in formation. Some turned their head, searching for the source of sound from behind.
Those who looked behind stood frozen. The rest, raising their eyebrows at their companion's lack of motion, followed their eyes. Then suddenly they were also petrified.
The air became dead. As they made out the silhouettes of the figures approaching the training ground.
Men wearing black scale armor, black boots, and spangle helm. Their steps were heavy and unified. Their right hand holding a halberd which was laid on their shoulder. They have their left hand on their waist, preventing the strapped mace from swinging as they march.
Hair stood on ends as the men who entered the training grounds halted. Staring at both the men at arms and castle guards, neither speaking nor moving. Just standing still like their time was frozen, facing the soldiers in formation.
They stood there like a statue, holding a halberd in their right hand, as their left held the pommel of the mace on their left waist.
Living beings, these heavily armored men, are living beings. Despite their statue like appearance, these men are alive.
Horror and dread, filled the defenders of Saint Gerald Castle, it would've been fine if these armored men in front of them were creation of magic. Perhaps like a puppet or an automaton, creation of the distant nations from afar… but no… these things… no these beings in front of them are breathing.
An almost inaudible sound of breathing can be heard from them. They are alive like them. Their discipline, coordination, and order, are beyond what they consider humane. Their silence and eerie aura tell's them that they are anything but human, perhaps something inhumane.
The soldiers couldn't see their eyes, but they could feel it. These men, they don't look at them like they were a person, they look at them as… animals to be butchered.
A chill traveled through the spine of the men as such a thought came across their mind.
Their hands trembled as they slowly reached for the weapon strapped to their waist. Ecish mayhap, surprised at the action of the soldiers of Zalsac, raised one of his eyebrows as his mouth formed an imperceptible smile.
Facing such an inhumane force, they were still able to try to reach for their weapons. Compared to other armies in the Order, they were already considered good enough, after all, some armies would rather run than fight.
Their actions speak of their courage.
As the bright orb of light in the sky reached above their head. The temperature in the training ground rises.
Men swallowing spit continues as nervousness plagues their body. The hands holding their weapons grip were now sweaty.
Despite their sweating, they feel cold. The men holding their weapons feel absolutely cold. Cold sweat forms on their backs.
As the once calm stare now intensified, they can feel their gazes roaming between their head to the arm holding their weapons.
Any further action may result in an undesirable consequences.
*Chik Chik Chik* The silence was broken by a lone footstep.
Then suddenly the statue like men parted.
A figure wearing a full plate armor and a plate helm walked in between them. Adored in his waist is a sword with a pommel designed that of a winged snake, the sigil of House Ih Leviathan.
Their liege, the master of these lands, Lord Prewell the Baron of Zalsac has arrived.