The Imperial Army

Nat and Dyl finally made it through thier third month of training and drilling. They and their companies were then formally accepted into the Marovian Imperial Army and assigned to the 5th Battle Division, 8th Battalion, 35th Battle Company, 101st Attack Company. The Imperial Army was divided into four main armies which were further broken down into battle divisions, battalions, battle companies, and finally attack companies. A battle division could consist of anywhere from 5000 to 10000 men; battalions, anywhere from 5000 to 1000 men, battle companies anywhere from 1000 to 100 men, and finally attack companies anywhere from 100 to 1. That was Nat and Dyl's specific assignment. They actually found out that all the recruits from Hubleton were also in the same ac (ac stands for Attack Company not air conditioning). In addition all the recruits from the surrounding region were in the same bc (I am sure you figured that out; battle company=bc). They decided to call themselves the Fearsome Farmers of Laodin (my home region). They were fearsome indeed. Having finished the basic introduction training the 700 farm boys could fill a field with arrows so thick you had to wade through them. That was their main strength so far though.

Nat was enjoying his first day off with Dyl. Now that the introductory training was over they had the privilege of one day off a week and more free time during the day. Yep life was much better now. Not much, but better. He walked into an inn and sat with Dyl. They both ordered a mug of ale and sat listening to rumors and gossip. Someone claimed that the Siltinian forces had routed a Marovian battle division (bd) and slaughtered all the people in the town of Surdilea, a major trade route. Another rumor claimed that elves had appeared to punish King Damian for all his cruelty. But of course everyone knew the elves were only a fairy tale. No longer real if ever. Too bad. "Wish we could meet elves" Nat told Dyl.
Dyle looked into his mug musingly, "I reckon we'd both be uncommonly unfortunate to run into an elf. They say that elves could defeat the best of swordsmen."
"Who said an elf would want to kill us? Maybe they could help us."
"I am just pointing out that they have different ideas of how things are and different traditions," Dyl mumbled into his mug.
Nat went onto other topics and finally they returned to camp. It was in an uproar. Rushing to their tents, they found the Sergeant bellowing at anyone and everyone. Seeing them, Sergeant Kearton roared,"Git yer selves reddy ta march cause dem Siltinins 'ave dicided ta toy wid us!"