A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor

It was interesting to Oliver how impulsive Karstly made the affair seem, and how unsettling the suddenness of it had been, only for the men to get as excited as they had. Was there a reason for that excitement, though? Karstly had already confirmed the strict criteria needed for a reward. Was there an element of chance in there for the men that had not taken a head of value?

Oliver supposed, the slight vagueness of Karstly's ending comments about other achievements could possibly be construed as that. It was likely enough for even the footsoldiers to get excited.

"We shall begin, then, with the achievement of Colonel Gordry's Blackthorn men," Karstly said. "Colonel Gordry has taken the head of two Rogue Commandants, and his soldiers were instrumental in making it past the barricades of the lower mountain paths. For his contributions, Gordry will be given the sum of a thousand gold pieces, in whatever treasures I might have hidden on my estate."

The Colonel's Blackthorn men cheered loudly for his achievement. Even the other Blackthorn men cheered for him, though their cheers came to a quieter degree, as they were clearly disappointed to not have won something themselves.

"What are you waiting for, Colonel?" Karstly said. "Do not stand there looking dull. Come, accept the rewards."

Colonel Gordry stood as he was bid. Oliver saw how stiffly he was walking, and he thought with some amusement that the man might have been nervous. 'Of course, that is impossible, but it would be funny to think about if it were true.'

"Shake my hand, Colonel," Karstly said. "Though you have not fought under me before, you have served me well. I look forward to doing battle by your side in the future. I still do not think that I have unlocked the true might of your battalion."

"I assure you, General, we have much more left to show you," Gordry said, pride in his voice, shaking the General's hand, before dropping to a kneel before him.

"Rise, Colonel, and address the men that allowed for your achievements to take place," Karstly said.

"Men of mine," Colonel Gordry said. "Know that this is not my victory, but our victory. The matter of the barricades, more importantly, was belonging to you, more than I. The sum of these thousand golds shall be split amongst each man, in addition to your pay."

The men's cheers loudened at that, and Karstly gave a small nod of his approval. Apparently, that seemed to have been his intention. He wished to see the whole of their army rewarded, rather than just individual men.

"Then next… We have my own attendant, Samuel. For the slaying of a Rogue Commandant, you will receive two hundred and fifty gold pieces," Karstly said, clearly finding some amusement in snatching the list of Samuel, and announcing the reward in his place.

Samuel fidgeted, and his lip twitched, as he tried to hide his emotions, and more importantly, his irritation. Nevertheless, he went through with it all, just as Colonel Gordry had, and he tried to make his own pleasure seem as genuine as the Colonel before him.

"For the slaying of five Violet Commandants, we offer rewards to Captain Hawthorne," Samuel said, on behalf of General Karstly. "The sum of two hundred and fifty golds will be awarded to you for your achievement."

The Captain's men cheered, as the battered-looking officer went up to collect his rewards. His cheeks were stained with cuts and bruises, but there was still fierce pride in his eyes. He gave a faltering speech to his men, before Karstly rather discreetly shooed him away from the mound that he stood upon.

"Next, Captain Lombard, and Vice-Captain Tolsey. To Captain Lombard, there goes the reward of three hundred and fifty gold coins, for the slaying of seven Violet Commandants, and to Vice-Captain Tolsey, there goes one hundred and fifty gold coins for the slaying of three Violet Commandants," Samuel continued.

Now, it was finally Oliver's turn to cheer a man that he had some sort of involvement with. Lombard's men cheered him with the sort of stern enthusiasm that Lombard had instilled in them, but as soon as Oliver's men joined in, that sternness was overwritten by the more juvenile enthusiasm so typical of the Patrick lot.

"""CAPTAIN!""" They called. """GET THAT COIN, CAPTAIN!"""

There came laughter at that, and Firyr added to the bellowing in that loud voice that he had, causing even further laughter. Lombard walked as stiffly as if he had been suspended on strings. Unlike Gordry, however, there was no room for Oliver to imagine that he had been nervous. He knew very well that the man would have been boiling over with annoyance.

The careful glances that Vice-Captain Tolsey kept shooting him as they walked up together spoke volumes to that fact.

"You have done very well, Captain Lombard," Karstly said, as the man arrived in front of him. "As was to be expected for a man so well trusted by General Blackwell, and so well known throughout the Stormfront, despite your lowly rank. Tell me, Captain, does the day not approach when you would accept the title of Colonel? Or could it be that it has yet to be offered to you?

Surely, the wise Blackwell would not have failed to make that offer?"

"I am content with where I stand, General," Captain Lombard said coolly, seeing through Karstly's careful words towards the insult that might have been poked towards his revered General. "Some men are better suited to certain positions. A higher rank is not always a better one, I do not believe."

"Very interesting, Captain," Karstly said, nodding along with him. "Well, I still stand by what I said. A man of your veteran nature, and your professionalism, you would do very well as Colonel. If the day ever comes when you wish for a taste of that rank, I can provide that opportunity."

In response, Captain Lombard bowed his head, ever so gently, and he kept his teeth gritted. "Thank you for your rewards, General."