Eagle Byzantium

However, the order was unstoppable. At least Gawain was now unable to really challenge his brother. So by the early morning of the next day, the baggage and horse team had already taken the lead and arrived at the strategic area of ​​Sanguli west of the city of Nicaea. , built a camp in the shape of a long snake.

Then it becomes clear that Gawain serves as the earl's commander, and the camp happens to be at the end.

When the military servants and craftsmen were building the wooden fence and barracks, Erikson caught three deserters, tied them with ropes, and sent them to Gawain. "While they were supervising the work, they had to blend into the crowd and escape."

Soon, leaders of various divisions and squads, including Francesco, who was assigned to Gawain's establishment, came over, and naturally formed a group around the new earl commander under the army and the three deserters. Circle of viewing.

"Why did you run away?" Gawain stood in front of the three people, took out the bronze horse-head scepter from his belt, and asked.

"Your Excellency Sebastocrat is about to flee Nicaea. Can our military property be preserved? We all follow the stable master. Even if we are not punished now, we will not be able to escape punishment and punishment in the future." At this time, one of the leading soldiers raised his face and complained to the new earl commander.

"Are you all soldiers in the same column? All Italians?"

"Yes, they are all from Naples." The three of them nodded in unison, not knowing what kind of punishment was waiting for them.

With a "boom", Gawain knocked the horse-headed scepter on the helmet of the leading soldier, making him tremble in fright, "Did you see the pile of wood about thirty feet away from my finger?" ?”

The three people turned back together, then turned back together and nodded.

"Go and transport all this pile of wood to the place where it should be transported, and help the craftsmen build the camp together. Don't be opportunistic like other departments. I will come to check at night. If you pass the test, the three of you can also receive double portions. "This was Gawain's punishment, which made the three soldiers in the same group couldn't believe it, even to the point of fear. They stood up and lowered their hands. They stayed for a long time and saw that the temporary acting earl commander had no expression on his face. If there were any changes, just run over and do what he ordered.

"Commander Count, there are more and more people fleeing the camp now. These soldiers are all Italians. Although we can temporarily suppress them with honor and the emperor's edict, as time goes by, the situation is getting worse and worse." Then, several detachment commanders stood beside Gawain, obviously dissatisfied with his lenient treatment.

Gawain looked around and saw that these people were all Greek military nobles with black hair and black or gray eyes.

It seems that this is also a method used by the empire to control the army. The grassroots and high-level people can be foreigners, but the middle-level people are still pure Greek nobles. Many young people use this as a springboard for promotion. "It is these Italian soldiers who have the problem. As we all know, they are all cowards!" Many Greek noble officers took the opportunity to become angry and demanded that Gawain severely punish the three deserters in full view of the public.

"Soldiers are not cowards. Many of them have followed the previous stable masters and fought for more than ten years." Gawain breathed, "This matter ends here. Have you finished speaking?"

Soon, a middle-aged Greek officer with black hair came out to smooth things over, "Everyone should obey the order, my Earl, I think it's best to stop here."

Gawain recognized this man as Barromio, the commander of this unit. He was very senior. His son also joined the army with him. It can be said that he came from a distinguished military family.

So Gawain nodded to Barromio, and then the count commander said to all the officers and commanders, "The soldiers' fear comes from two aspects. One is the strength of the enemy, and the second is the upper-level officers, especially those who are fighting day and night. The nonsense of the officer they were hanging out with The biggest problem with this army now is that the officers in the detachments, squads, and ranks are too indulgent, uttering evil words, and infecting the thirty or one hundred and twenty men with real pessimism. Names, three hundred and sixty or even thousands of soldiers."

Afterwards, Gawain said decisively, "From now on, I will not punish the soldiers, but only the officers above the column commander. You must strictly discipline yourselves."

Gawain's order was immediately supported by Palomio. He also stood under the military flag and said to his tribe, "I and all the soldiers have followed the Master of the Stables for many years. I understand everyone." Yes, of course there are also those who were punished this time. Even if he is blinded, he can still continue to serve the empire in terms of theology and prayer. And we, the most combat-savvy veterans of the Bari Governorate, must only obey orders no matter who our superiors become. , there must be no slack.”

Seeing the veteran Barromio saying the same thing, the dissatisfied voices of the officers disappeared immediately.

"Thank you, we can fight side by side in any critical moment." After the lecture, Gawain and Palomio shook hands cordially.

"Of course, in the future, you can leave the camp supervision, service arrangements and patrols to me. Your Excellency, Commander Count, I am willing to serve you and this great army wholeheartedly." Barromio was also very heroic and cheerful.

Then, the entire military camp became solemn, with officers supervising their respective teams, and soldiers and craftsmen working hard to build the camp. Then, on the foothills slightly to the upper left of the first unit commanded by Gawain, is the camp of the Red Hand Guards.

By the deer village under the tower, Farov was waving to him.

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"Listen, your performance in the meeting room is not good. The royal brother regards you as a troublemaker and a troublemaker. It seems that if I am not by your side to guide you, you will always make mistakes." After complaining to Gawain, Farof whispered, "Sir Isaac is not interested in staying in Asia Minor, and I believe that His Majesty is similar. Now your unit and my Red Hand Squad are at the back of the sequence. If the Turks in Rom break the alliance, it is obvious that they regard you and me as pawns that can be sacrificed at the rear."

"Then The best thing for us now is to ignore other teams and go to Nicaea to defend. I think whether it is Giliki or the group of heretics, seeing such a strong city with so many teams guarding it, they will retreat. "

"It's all nonsense. In this way, I and the Red Hand Guard will fully cooperate with your troops to guard the fortress and defense line. You go and survey the terrain and enemy situation with that half-blood border guard. As long as the surveillance is proper and the time is timely, we can all return to the Brahena Palace alive." After Farof finished speaking, he fell silent.

"I heard that you are a lucky person who survived from the battle of the four Caesars all the way to the Battle of Durazzo." Gawain then fist-bumped with Farof, "There is no reason to die in this place."