Alaina and Arion did not keep Ryan waiting long.
At dusk, a Ranger atop the watchtower cupped his hands and cried out into the evening air:
"Alaina and Arion have returned! They've brought the recruits!"
The moment his shout fell, the camp stirred like a hive. Ryan and his companions hurried to the gates, while craftsmen, laborers, and the newly arrived soldiers from earlier in the day crowded forward to watch.
From the wild plain beyond came a long column of men. At the head rode Alaina, who swung neatly from her saddle, her movements crisp and soldierly. She strode to Ryan and drew from her cloak a roll of parchment, speaking clear and firm:
"My lord, five hundred, not one short. All chosen from the villages along the River Hoarwell—sturdy stock, every one."
Arion dismounted beside her, adding with a faint smile: "Your name had already reached their ears, my lord. It eased our task greatly."
Ryan unrolled the parchment, scanning its marks. He glanced up at them with a gentle smile. "Well done. I am pleased with your work. Night is drawing close,see that the men pitch their tents. We shall meet when darkness falls."
"Yes, my lord!"
And so the camp swelled. Where once there had been four hundred souls, now near fourteen hundred filled the space, tents rising like a forest of canvas beneath the twilight. Supplies from Dessen—ample tents, planks, and food—were swiftly put to use. Veterans lent their hands to the newcomers, craftsmen offered spare boards for bedding, and the cookfires roared again, sending the scent of meat and broth curling through the dusk.
Ryan stood watching the scene,so full of life, so orderly,and knew that the roots of his army were taking hold.
….
That night, the leaders gathered in the great tent to recount their journeys. Those who had recruited spoke of the ease with which men had come forward—drawn by generous pay and the promise of honor. Even in the lands of lesser lords, gold had opened doors, and none had hindered them.
When Ryan's deeds were spoken of,the partnership with House Dulod, the armory, the brickworks, the gold conjured from nothing,his companions' eyes shone with awe. The admiration they bore him deepened, pride swelling in their hearts that they followed such a man.
For what he offered was not coin alone. With Ryan, they knew their lives and deaths would be honored. With Ryan, they knew their families would not starve if they fell. That faith was stronger than steel.
At last Ryan laid several sheets upon the table and passed them out. "Here," he said, "are the regulations and the order of battle. We have one thousand recruits. They must be forged into more than a rabble—they must become the First Warhost."
The Rangers bent over the pages, reading the lines Ryan had penned. Hundreds of rules, but at their core, the strict "Four Prohibitions and Three Duties":
> Four Prohibitions (iron law): No slaying of innocent folk; no looting of spoils; no sowing of discord; no retreat in battle. Death to the breaker.
> Three Duties (moral code): To stand against injustice; to sacrifice before the Evil; to defend the helpless without hesitation. To fail is to be punished or cast out.
Beneath the laws lay promises of care:
> Three silver coins each month for every recruit, with a steady rise each year;
> Pay to increase with rank,archers who rose to heavy infantry would earn five silvers;
> If a soldier fell, Ryan himself would see his kin provided for, with stipends until children reached their majority;
> Families of soldiers and martyrs alike would have work in the armory or brickworks, with secure wages.
It was law and mercy together—a bond stronger than gold.
Then came the structure of the host, from squad to legion:
> Squad: 10 men, with captain, lieutenant, and healer.
> Company: 50 men, with cooks and five healers.
> Century: 100 men, two lieutenants, sergeants, cooks, healers.
> Cohort: 300 men, two commanders, with sergeants and healers.
> Regiment: 1000 men, a captain and vice captain, sergeant company, healer company.
> Legion: 5000 men, generals and sub-generals, with Sergeant and healer regiments.
When they had finished reading, their eyes turned upward to him, alight with expectation.
Ryan's voice was firm as he declared:
"From these thousand men we shall form our first host."
"I will serve as Regiment Captain, commander of all. Idhrion is named Vice-Captain, to lead in my absence. Erken, you shall command the Heavy Infantry Cohort. Alaina and Arion shall lead a Bow Infantry Cohort. Elger is appointed to lead the Sergeant Company. Ailin will command the Healer Company. Hador, you shall serve as Centurion of Heavy Infantry. The rest will follow in due course."
"You will take your soldiers and drill them. Keep record of all you learn, and deliver it to me, that the host may ever improve."
His words rang in the tent. The Dúnedain Rangers, his first companions, rose to their feet. Their voices thundered as one:
"We will not fail you, my lord!"
- - - - - - - -
T/N:
Please donate powerstones to push the book forward. I will start a bonus chapter system soon.