Fiction #6 - The Value of a General

To His Majesty, King Ulysses Tennyson I,

Your Highness, at your request I am writing to inform you that we have, at present, four extremely promising students here at the Academy of Military Arts. Such noteworthy individuals may soon be in great demand and I wanted to make sure that you had first pick before the Barons start courting the students. Indeed, I have already had to fend off a number of requests from Lords Fhenoix and Battlemage and I fear I will not be able to defer them much longer.

The candidates have each exhibited strength in different areas. As I have not been made privy to your plans, I have no way of knowing what characteristics you are most looking for, so I will attempt to provide a thorough assessment of each.

Alex 'The Tower' of Ashfield is our most promising defensive student. He has displayed a remarkable knowledge of countering siege tactics, managing resources, and developing his men. He has proven reluctant to demonstrate a mastery of offensive tactics, to which his professors primarily attribute a reluctance to sacrifice those under his command rather than a lack of understanding, as indeed he seems to instinctively grasp the best offensive tactics so that he can defend against them. As for loyalty, we suspect that he has a soft spot for the church, having been raised in the Ashfield monastery as an orphan, and could not guarantee that he would not betray another employer given the right incentive.

Reginald Bellford III is the fifth son of Baron Bellford, and as such has no hope of inheriting anything from his father. He has therefore thrown all his hope into his military training and has achieved great success for his efforts. His men have a loyalty to him that I have seldom seen and I believe that anyone who was to reach out to him would find a similar devotion from him. While others may surpass him a little in offensive or defensive tactics, he is strong in both and one would never need fear that he would desert his cause.

Sir Matthew of Meadowbrook is one of the finest offensive tacticians I have seen in some time. Only The Tower has proven capable of holding a position against him. He has grasped one of the central concepts that eludes Alex, in that he understands that there will be expenses in warfare and that the key is making them count. On the other hand, he seems unable to overcome this mentality when on the defensive and is sometimes overly aggressive, expending resources where patience and battlements would have sufficed. As for loyalty, I believe him to be as committed as most, but not impervious to appeals to his desire for glory.

Last, but by no means least, we have Arthur Thornhedge. Master Thornhedge is a born leader and despite any shortcoming in tactics, which one could only deem 'shortcomings' in comparison to the very best of his peers, is the best rounded of the candidates. He has proven himself capable on both the offensive and the defensive and in training his followers. His only shortcoming might be his ambitions and I'm not sure I'd trust him to pass up an opportunity to show up one of those he views as his competitor.
“Wisdom is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” I hope that the winds of war blow elsewhere and that all recognize your rightful claim to the throne… but should the Creator not see fit to grant us peace, you would do well to employ one of these young men before your enemies do.

Your Loyal Subject and Son,
Prince Gerard Tennyson
Head Master of the Tennyson Academy of the Military Arts

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After he had signed the letter, Gerard rose and sealed the document before handing it to a messenger and ordering him to deliver the scroll swiftly. He then returned to his desk and pulled out a scroll that showed signs of heavy wear around the edges, reading the words again:

Head Master Tennyson,

I hope that this finds you in good health. I have received messages from my contacts within the academy that you have four extremely promising students currently ready to graduate from your esteemed facility. I am aware that these young men will be in high demand in the coming days, as conflicts have already erupted in the wake of Good King Avallon's passing. It is not, however, to discuss these young men that I have written. While others may seek to recruit these young diamonds in the rough, I am aware that there is a jewel far surpassing them in quality that also resides within the walls of the Academy. A jewel, that I think far too many have taken for granted and over looked.

I wonder why your father has not called you to his side in this troubling time. If I had a son with your capabilities, I would certainly want him to lead my forces in quelling the rebellions breaking out everywhere. Surely you are a wonderful teacher, but the true place of any military man is on the battlefield. Let old men who can no longer do - teach, or at least that is my opinion. There is no one better suited in all of Camlyn to ensure the kingdom's security than you and I cannot help but feel it is hubris to leave such a valuable asset essentially to waste in a school.

Forgive me for rambling on. I know that you will decide to do what is best. You have ever been a God-fearing man and I trust that you will allow His hand to guide you. Know that I am ever here if you should be in need of spiritual guidance.

Your friend,
Lord Reverend Wilhelm Kelvin

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Gerard Tennyson had been a boy all of 9 when he watched Cyrus Avallon defeat his father, the greatest warrior in all of Camlyn in single combat, with the Kingsword in his hand. The boy had known, from that very moment, that it was Cyrus that was intended by God to rule, not his father.

Now, King Avallon was dead and his father held the Kingsword. But why would the Creator choose to make Ulysses Tennyson king now, when he had found him unworthy twenty years ago? What of the claims that Niccolo Florenti and Reverend Kelvin held the Kingsword? Why hadn't Ulysses called upon Gerard to help put down the rebellions? There were some who said they thought that Gerard's tactical brilliance surpassed even his father's. Who better to ensure the peace of the nation? What warrior could ever be content to sit in a school and discuss theory and practice, when there were real battles to be won that could save innocents from suffering?

These questions and more went through Gerard Tennyson's mind as he hesitantly penned his response to the good Reverend.