In the last week of December, the Talburg garrison held a simple yet solemn banquet to celebrate the Christ Mass. Everyone who had been idle in Talburg for nearly half a month looked forward to this feast immensely.
There was no need for Art to arrange anything; as soon as dawn broke, the Soldiers spontaneously gathered around Quartermaster Spencer, the army's Quartermaster, to follow the instructions of this 'Kitchen Steward'.
"Brother Colin, Officer Odo has allowed us to slaughter the last fat pig. You all will be responsible for that pig."
"Brother Weiz, the roasted bread in the kitchen is almost gone. We can't just eat wheat porridge for the banquet, so a few of you will be responsible for baking some rye bread. Oh, and there's a small bag of fine wheat flour in the baking room; you can bake some white bread specifically for the adults and officers."
"Bangda, that sheep is entrusted to you."
"Andrew, well, it seems you don't have much to do. Then you can go to the surroundings and chop some dry firewood and kindling. Officer Odo said we can light a bonfire in the open space tonight."
"The others go clear the snow from the training ground, then come to the kitchen to help with chores..."
Spencer assigned tasks to everyone one by one.
Inside the inner fort of Talburg, Art was summoning several officers, from squad leaders upwards, to discuss the withdrawal of troops. According to the Court's plan, a new army would arrive at Talburg next month to take over the defense.
Art sat upright at the head of the wooden table in the inner fort, looking at the officers, and said, "After the relief army takes over Talburg, I will take a small number of Soldiers to Besançon to personally report the battle situation of the Talburg garrison over the past six months to the Vice Minister. If all goes well, I should be able to clip the swallowtail from my heraldic banner in Besançon."
"After withdrawing from Talburg, Odo will lead the main body of the army Southwest, passing through Andermatt Fortress, to return to the valley. He will hand over the personnel and supplies we brought back to Cooper for arrangement. The army should not have any major combat missions until the end of winter. After returning to the valley, all officers and Soldiers will resume their usual pay, and the army will rest for a period of time."
"You can also start preparing for the commendations and rewards for the army, outlining a general plan. We will discuss the merits and award after I return from Besançon. After a period of rest, training will still be necessary. If the snow is too deep and training is truly impossible, then take the Soldiers to help Cooper and his men build the Valley Wood Fort. You can discuss the specific matters with Cooper."
"Understood, sir. How many Soldiers will you take to Besançon?" Odo asked.
"The Sergeant and Ron will follow me, and then I will select ten elite Soldiers who can ride horses to accompany me. The others will be led back to the valley by you."
"The selection of Soldiers will be handled by the Sergeant. Ron, go to the stables and choose a few sturdy-looking horses suitable for long-distance riding, making up thirteen mounts. All other mules and livestock will be handed over to Odo to take back."
"In addition, I will give you another task. This task is not urgent, but all of you must consider it carefully."
The officers all sat up straight, listening intently.
Art paused, then continued: "After returning to the valley this time, I will expand the army. I initially estimate that the number of Soldiers will gradually be expanded to fifty. In addition, I will also request the Court to retain my position as Southern Border Patrol Officer. Later, I will also specifically establish a Patrol Team for patrolling and maintaining order in the southern part of Tinietz County. After you return, based on the battles we have experienced this year, think about how to organize the army and the Patrol Team, including the division and grouping of Soldiers, the equipment of weapons and armor, the pay and treatment of officers and Soldiers at all levels, and the training programs for Soldiers, among many other matters. You should first think about these things yourselves and then discuss them with each other. However, I suggest that after you return, you discuss them with your squad leaders and Soldiers, to better understand what the Soldiers are thinking, and any good ideas can be written down. When I return, I will specifically discuss these issues with everyone..."
Art's throat was a bit dry from speaking. He stood up, went to the fireplace, picked up a copper pot, poured a bowl of hot water, and drank it. Then he turned around and continued, "Gentlemen, for the past six months, you have fought and risked your lives with me. I will not overlook the injuries you have sustained and the blood you have shed for me. From this battle onward, we will no longer be unknown individuals hiding in the dense forests of the valley..."
...
As dusk approached, a tall bonfire was lit in the training ground behind Talburg. With Art's toast and blessing, the long-awaited Christ Mass feast began. On the iron grill beside the bonfire, half a fat pig, gutted and skinned, sizzled with oil. In a deep, large copper pot, bone-in lamb, seasoned with onions and fennel, steamed hotly. A laborer was pouring half a basin of chopped dried apples into the lamb soup. A long table by the bonfire was laden with roasted bread, roasted pork, smoked sausages, chopped onions, apples, cabbage, and other foods. At the edge of the table were two round barrels filled with light beer.
As the 'high-ranking' figures of this banquet, Art and the Commanders did not enjoy the delicacies alone in the inner fort. They distributed the white bread and honey-glazed roasted meat that Spencer had specially prepared for the officers to all the Soldiers and laborers (including the liberated slave farmers).
By the brightly burning bonfire, Art accepted round after round of toasts from the officers and Soldiers. Before the banquet began, Ron had already taken the scout team to investigate the surroundings to ensure there was no danger, so Art did not have to worry about sudden enemy situations. Thus, he accepted every drink offered.
Spencer, the person in charge of the Christ Mass banquet, saw that the officers had already clinked glasses with Art, and approached Art with a large cup of light beer.
Art, with a slightly flushed face, said to Spencer, who had come to toast him, "Spencer, this banquet you've organized is excellent. You've also worked very hard these past few months. Odo has told me all about your actions during these months. When you were unwilling to train and even more unwilling to go to the battlefield, I thought you were a lazy coward. It seems I need to re-evaluate you now."
Spencer hadn't expected Art to have such a good impression of him, and he felt a little excited. His right hand trembled slightly as he raised his cup and said, "Sir, I was indeed afraid of dying in battle and tired of training back then, but now I find these miscellaneous tasks quite fulfilling. Following an adult like you, it's worth it!" With that, Spencer drained the wine in his cup in one gulp.
Art also took a large gulp, put down his cup, and said to Spencer, "You can't get drunk yet. Remember to have someone send a portion of pork and lamb soup to the brothers guarding the outer wall later. They work very hard."
"Don't worry, sir, I've already sent someone to deliver it to the brothers," Spencer replied.
"Mm-hmm, excellent, excellent. Go and eat and drink your fill."
Spencer then turned and toasted Odo Angus, Ron, and several other officers one by one.
Eight days after the Christ Mass, the army arriving from Besançon to take over the defense reached Talburg, led by a knight named Eshir Dia. This army consisted of over eighty people, including sixty Soldiers (forty legionary Soldiers and twenty conscripted farmer-Soldiers), twelve laborers, and three horse-drawn carriages loaded with grain and supplies.
After Art welcomed the relief army into Talburg, he held a simple welcome banquet for Sir Eshir and the officers in the inner fort.
"Sir Eshir, this fort is now entrusted to your protection. Currently, there is no enemy activity around Talburg; firstly, because it is winter, making it difficult for enemy forces to move; secondly, because we have crippled the Bilton Fort army over the past six months. As long as Swabia does not dispatch troops from the north to besiege Talburg, the defense here should not be a problem." Art briefly explained the military situation around Talburg to Eshir, who was seated at the head of the table.
Eshir was the second son of a high-ranking official in the Court. He had actively requested to be stationed at Talburg after hearing about Art's achievements there, hoping to establish meritorious service. A little-known, humble squire could achieve military success here, and Eshir considered himself to be somewhat superior to the fellow before him.
"Hmm, Sir Art, I know all that you've said. Now that I have taken over this fort, I will surely turn it into the strongest fortress. No matter how many of those Swabia Bastards they send, I will make them perish beneath the city walls!"
"Furthermore, once my army has rested for two days in the fort, I will lead my brave warriors to attack Bilton Fort. The northern front is lively, and we cannot remain quiet here," Eshir said with an arrogant expression.
"Sir Eshir, Bilton Fort is currently well-defended; it would be prudent to be cautious~" Art, worried that this young fellow's arrogance might lead him to rashly attack Bilton Fort, kindly warned him.
Sir Eshir replied with a proud expression, "A warrior should not fear strong enemies. If I intended to cower in this fort, why would I have gone to all this trouble to come here?"
"Uh~ you're right~"
...
"My Lord, I think this fellow has a bit too much ambition. From his demeanor, he might even lead an army to attack Teblen," Ron whispered to Art after leaving the inner fort.
"Alright, since he won't listen to advice, there's no point in us saying more. Go and urge Odo and the others to quickly organize the supplies. We will leave Talburg early tomorrow morning..." Art said, then walked directly towards the army's temporary camp in the open space behind Talburg, as Art had generously given the inner fort and several wooden houses to the newly arrived garrison for their use.
Early the next morning, Art led forty-eight Soldiers, five laborers, thirteen slaves, and two families of captured artisans and their dependents from the Southern Manor, driving mules and livestock laden with supplies and farm tools, and headed west. As for the stubborn enemy prisoners of war in the dungeon, Art handed them over to the newly arrived garrison. These people likely wouldn't waste food on the enemy, and the prisoners' good days were coming to an end.
Outside Talburg, Sir Eshir, accompanied by a group of officers, saw off Art's army. Before leaving, Art still advised Eshir to be cautious about sending troops to attack Bilton Fort, but the spirited Eshir paid no heed to Art's words. Art could only wish them success in achieving new military feats at Bilton Fort~
On the evening of the day they withdrew from Talburg, Art led his army into Glarus City. Viscount Herries personally hosted a simple banquet to see Art off. To express gratitude to Viscount Herries for his assistance during the siege of Talburg, Art specially selected a set of exquisite silver tableware and several bolts of raw silk from the captured spoils as gifts for Viscount Herries. Furthermore, Art also paid a high fee to Herries for the Medical Officer who treated the army's wounded in the city.
Art's impression of Viscount Herries was not bad. Although he was stingy, he could distinguish priorities at critical moments. It made sense that this person had been able to guard the southeastern border for many years.
They did not linger long in Glarus County City. After resting for a night, the army split into two parts. Odo took the Soldiers who were recovering from injuries in the city and led the main body of the army Southwest to return to the valley, while Art, accompanied by Angus and Ron, led ten elite cavalrymen northwest towards Besançon.