Once the men were packed and ready to move, Virgil gave the command and the Sons of Aurek began the long and slow march towards Bristol, in search of better prospects. Leading the formation, Virgil, Standardbearer Fehs and Loremaster Tiger engaged in conversation concerning the future of the Company.<br/>1<br/>Fehs, distraught on the inside turned towards Virgil. “ ‘Twould be nice if we had some horse, ‘Cap.”<br/><br/>“Aye, that it would brother. That it would.” Virgil replied with a slight chuckle. “It’s going to be a long march without horses. However, I believe the men will make it.”<br/><br/>“I know they will, Captain. They have a prime leader with which to look up to.” Tiger joined in.<br/><br/>“Is that so? Then, please Tiger, explain to me what makes me a fine leader of men.”<br/><br/>Being put on the spot made Tiger a little nervous. The Captain was seeking his thoughts on leadership, and what it entailed. Tiger was no leader of men. He was merely the Loremaster, a keep of records, a man of the written word. His view on leadership would not be a very valued opinion, but the Captain asked him a question, and it would be wise of Tiger to answer.<br/><br/>“Look at how fast you rose to a position of leadership, Virgil. Within months of being a sergeant, you were promoted to Lieutenant. That’s the fastest that I’ve ever seen a soldier make it to the rank of officer. You even bypassed the administrative jobs of the First Sergeant of Infantry and Master Sergeant of Supply. We all saw something in you, Captain. Although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is.”<br/><br/>Tiger figured that was a safe answer. As safe as any. Vague; not too descriptive.<i>It’ll hold water</i>, he hoped. He glanced towards the Captain, hopeful for a favorable response.<br/><br/>“I guess I’m just one of those ‘born leaders’ that everyone is talking about, eh?”<br/><br/>At this point, Fehs chimed in. “Born leaders Virgil? Nay. There is no such thing as a born leader. Either you have the mental capacity to lead men into battle with exceptional tactics, or you don’t. It’s that simple. And I, I see the potential in you,” Fehs took a puff from his pipe. “You just need to see it within yourself. Yes, we lost this battle, but the war is not lost. Keep that in mind, my friend.”<br/><br/>It was hard for Virgil to justify losing so many men for a ‘loss.’ But was it truly a loss for the Sons? Aye, that was the question that had haunted Virgil for the past few hours. No, their contract was not completed, but they were relieved of the contract. Therefore a loss, so to speak, was not a viable option.<br/><br/>Virgil turned his head to gaze upon his weary men. As he did so, he noticed a brute of a man begin breaking formation, heading towards the front. This beast was known as Thud. He stood at least two and half heads taller than the average man and was exceptional with a warhammer. All enemies learned to fear this giant. Virgil waited for Thud to stride next to him as the Company continued the march through the woods towards Bristol.<br/><br/>“Company hungry. Thud asks Captain. Food?”<br/><br/><i>A man of few words, still </i>thought Virgil. “We’ve been on the road only an hour or so, Thud. Must we stop now?”<br/><br/>“Thud hungry. Thud tired. Men hungry. Men tired. We stop now?”<br/><br/>Virgil grimaced at the lack of grammar that this man possessed. “I suppose, Thud,” He addressed Fehs and Tiger, “What say you boys? Stop for food and a few hours rest?”<br/><br/>Fehs and Tiger offered their approval, obviously hungry and tired as well. It was decided then. The Company would stop, rest, eat and then continue their journey to bigger prospects.<br/><br/>The Sons were given the order to stop and set up camp with minimal light and noise discipline. After all, there weren’t too many enemies around. However, just to be cautious, Virgil doubled the guard shifts. Virgil yelled for the First Sergeant of Infantry. There was no reply.<br/><br/>“Virgil, the First Sergeant was killed in battle. Gloriously, might I add. You must appoint another.” Spoke Fehs as he was unpacking his tent aside Virgil.<br/><br/>“Ah. Well brother, do you have any suggestions?”<br/><br/>Fehs pondered for a moment. “Well, not that it’s my call, but I would suggest Thud. I know his grammar and people skills are severely lacking, but he has the capacity to lead men into battle. I think that’s what may balance out his lack of speaking; his tactis.”<br/><br/>Virgil called for Thud to come forward. The giant of the man sprinted to Virgil and stood at attention. “Captain?”<br/><br/>“Thud, you are hereby named First Sergeant of the Infantry division.  I’m sorry that we couldn’t go through the formal ceremony, but we simply do not have the time for that.” Virgil paused and then spoke once more. “Go see to your men, get camp set with four men on guard at all times. Once that’s figured out, send the Master Sergeant of Supply to me.”<br/><br/>Thud acknowledged his orders and proceeded to carry them out. As Virgil was unpacking and setting up his tent, another man of average build approached. This man had short, close-cropped black hair and a scraggly beard.<br/><br/>“You sent for me, Virg- I mean, Captain?”<br/><br/>“Junk, relax brother. You’re one of my closest friends. Formalities are not necessary ‘tween you and I, unless the men are within hearing distance.” Virgil unrolled his bedding in his tent, stockpiling the thought that he should get a larger tent in the back of his mind. “What are our supplies looking like?<br/><br/>Junk crossed his arms and leaned on a nearby tree. “Not good Cap’. Not good at all. We have a couple days’ worth of trail rations, but that’s it. We desperately need to find a town with which to supply us with food and beverage. Not to mention, the luxuries so required by men in the field.”<br/><br/>“Then we shall rest here for a couple hours and double time it to Bristol. Tell Supply what the plan is. Get a list made up and when we arrive in Bristol, get to work.” Virgil replied, laying down on his bedroll. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to try to catch some sleep.”