The Forest at the Edge of the World(126)

First, the uniform of the army will not change. While it does seem logical to create a field uniform that blends into the surroundings, the danger is that soldiers will attack their own, believing they are the enemy. The uniform is also one of the oldest and highest traditions the army has, dating back to the Great War, and altering it would be like altering the army—unacceptable.



Captain Shin smirked. That wasn’t his father’s belief. Relf Shin held up the call for tradition as strongly as his son did.

They tried to drop it on its head as often as possible.

“Just create a field uniform,” Perrin grumbled. “Not something that looks like them. That would be as useless as the Guarders dressing up in blue uniforms!”

Captain Shin sighed as he continued to read.



While your suggestion to revive the suits of mail used in the Great War seems to have merit, the current attack strategies of the Guarders may not require such elaborate and expensive armor. Mail and shields were necessary when the enemy one hundred twenty years ago employed the extensive use of bows and arrows, as well as maces. But Guarders seem to be outfitted only with daggers and engage only in close combat.

It is the opinion of the army leadership that even mail may not have prevented the injuries sustained by your men, nor would mail have afforded any protection to the soldier which the Guarder held hostage. No mail was ever made to extend to one’s throat.



“But it could be!” Captain Shin said out loud to the paper. “And what makes you think they won’t start using arrows or maces?” He smacked the message in frustration. Also not his father’s opinion, he was sure. But what was the point of being High General when all the lesser generals and administrators controlled the army?

Shin fumed when he read the next line again.



As for breastplates and other shielding you suggested, while thick leather would be easier and less costly than mail, it is the opinion of the garrison that such defensive measures may alarm the citizenry, who are of the belief their soldiers are the bravest the world has ever produced, and are not in need of any such protection.



“It would have put three more men to work in the village, making armor! But say what you mean, Cush,” he bellowed at the paper, “I’m a coward for wanting to preserve my soldiers. Oh, but wait. If I really was a coward, would I have suggested the next thing you’ve decided is also ‘inappropriate?!”



As for beginning training within the forest itself, that too is contrary to anything we have ever done. The purpose of the army is to defend the citizenry of the world. We are not aggressors or pursuers. Your brash and reckless behavior in entering the forest—and remaining there—would suggest you are too aggressive to capably lead your fort.



That last sentence must have been drafted by Nicko Mal himself. Professor Mal’s favorite line to describe Perrin back in Command School was “aggressively brash and reckless.” He grumbled again as he finished the message.



We at the garrison realize this was your first encounter with Guarders, and the fact that your soldiers sustained no loss of life redeems your otherwise dangerous behavior. The command of the fort of Edge is still yours, but you are admonished to follow all established protocol in defending the village and fort, and in training the soldiers. You may, however, conduct training procedures along the edge of the forest, without actually entering into it. No one under any circumstances is to be allowed to enter the forests for any reasons. The risks are too great, the payoffs too small.

If you find yourself unable to follow all of the established rules of the army, and insist on performing in a reckless manner, a new career will be decided for you.



Captain Shin’s left hand formed a fist as he reread those words. That last sentence may have come from his father. Or perhaps even his mother, he considered with a dour smile. He sighed and reread the small note that had been attached under General Cush’s official signature.



Take care of that wife of yours and keep her safe from the storms. The sky here is frequently cloudy and dark as of late.

By the way, son—excellent work. RS.



Perrin smiled, peeled the note off the wax attachment and slipped it into his pocket. Then he put the official message on top of the cabinets behind him, planning to “accidentally” nudge it later so that it would fall into the oblivion between the cabinet and the wall.

He pulled out the next message from the packet from Idumea and reread it. He scratched his chin, still puzzled.

Wiles was missing, and High General Shin had sent out yet another message to all forts asking them to inquire with their local law enforcers for additional clues as to what may have happened.