“Strawberries.”
Gatren's disinterested voice giving me the password for the day as I entered the commander's tent had become familiar to me, a part of the daily routine. He always leaned forward slightly and pitched his voice for my ears alone. Pointless as everyone there would know the password.
I ignored him, as usual, and a stepped a little further into the tent to wait to be acknowledged. In four days I had once more slipped into the expectation of a prompt dismissal to deal with my already assigned task – to do nothing, in other words. Again I was slightly surprised when beckoned to come forward.
“Sumto Cerulian, take command of the right flank for the day.”
I saluted and acknowledged the order, was dismissed and left. I didn't ask the reason, there could be many, ranging from a stomach bug to verbal dispatches that only a commander could be entrusted with. The commanders to hand were for Tul to use as he saw fit, changing their assignments every day if he felt inclined to do so.
Over breakfast I told Kerral to look after things and asked him where the hell I would find my command and who would likely be their captain. He did not disappoint me.
“The knight Yebratt Shaheel will be with the vanguard by the time we are ready to march.”
I didn't berate him for stating the obvious fact that the captain, indeed all of the horsemen, would be knights. That is what equestes means, after all, of the equestrian rank. Pretty well off, basically, and of noble birth or raised to the nobility, though that happened rarely enough to be truly notable.
I guessed that he thought I should know who it would be and he was right. “I'll pick your brains about the complete command structure later, Kerral. I should know, and I don't.”
“As you say, sir.”
I found Yebratt just where Kerral had said he'd be waiting for me. He was a big, friendly man with ginger hair and, unusually, sported a beard. He saluted with a grin. “Orders sir?”
I couldn't help returning his easy grin. “I think we will string out in two's a half mile out at hundred yard intervals and have two pairs take vantage runs from the lead and circle to the rear where it seems appropriate.”
“Sounds good! Password?”
“Strawberries.”