A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor-Chapter 950: The Frontline - Part 2

"I do not imagine we will have many more days yet until they find a use for you. Another day of marching, and we will be right on the frontlines. General Broadstone is greeting General Karstly. We'll be moving on in short order – together, I think," Verdant said.

"These Generals – I'm curious about them," Oliver said. He hadn't managed to see much of General Broadstone as they were marching, even though he'd tried to. "General Karstly is a Pendragon man, isn't he?"

"Of Asabelian loyalty, yes. He's a close ally of the Blackthorns," Verdant said. "He's a 'lesser' General, if we consider his youth, but I have heard many good things said about him. The fact that he bears the title of General alone is worthy of consideration."

"He commands five thousand men?" Oliver asked.

"He does. On behalf of Blackwell, of course," Verdant replied. "And that is only for now, whilst we are marching to the front. It seems unlikely, but it is not impossible that he will be reassigned to a different number of men."

"Hm…" Oliver murmured. He wanted to see exactly what sort of men these were. He wanted to see how strong they were in a fight, how they led their men, how they walked and how they made their speeches. His curiosity was all but endless.

Seeming to sense danger, Lombard drew in on their conversation. "You are not plotting something troublesome, are you, boy?"

"I wouldn't dream of it," Oliver replied.

"I am fond of you, and Blackwell is as well, but you must not forget your place," Lombard reminded him. "To these other Generals, and these Commanders, you are nothing more than a pup that has made a name for himself. They will not dismiss slights easily."

"What is it that you think I'm going to do?" Oliver asked.

"I do not know," Lombard replied evenly, holding his gaze. "That is exactly why I must ask that you do not do it – else I could prevent you from doing it."

"Your worry is needless. I was only curious who these men were. I have not heard their names before. I do not know what they've done to deserve the title of General," Oliver said.

"They have fought hard, for many years. They have been on a battlefield for nearly a decade, without exception," Lombard said. "That is what they did."

"I imagine they're also Lords without exception, are they not?" Oliver said.

"A traditional noble would find it hard to gather the amount of men that you and I have," Lombard replied. "Indeed they are Lords. One would need to be, if they wished to practise leading so many from so young."

"Hm…" Oliver said, considering it.

"That expression alarms me. Which of the two of you can I trust to reign him in?" Lombard said, glancing between Verdant and Jorah.

"Pardon me, Captain Lombard," Jorah said, dipping his head. "I do not think I will need to reign my Lord in. I can offer advice, at times, but often that advice will be something he has already considered himself."

"The same for I, I'm afraid," Verdant told the Captain with a small smile. "I have belief in my Lord. We have fought together for many years now. I must continue to trust in him, if I am to perform my duty."

Lombard sighed, and held up a finger. "We will see Blackwell tomorrow, Patrick. Wait until then. My Lord will spare some time for you, so do not cause unnecessary trouble until he has."

With that, the Captain turned his horse and had to rush away to more matters that needed his attention, though it seemed to be quite clear that he hadn't said all that he wished to say.

"The lack of trust wounds me," Oliver said.

"You must have made quite an impression on him when you were younger," Verdant noted. "It is a shame that I could not have been there to witness it."

"He's seen enough of me these past years that he could at least acknowledge that I've changed," Oliver said with a frown. "I'm not that impulsive."

"My Lord, if I might say… I fear it's because of what he's seen of you in recent years that he has reevaluated that opinion of you. Do I need remind you that he was there when we saw Queen Asabel, and when you declared yourself for campaign in front of the High King?" Jorah said.