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The Journals of Raymond Brooks 73

CHAPTER VI

Path of the Soldier

After signing up I was shipped, come morning, to Wist Hill —
the nearest castle, for basic training. I was sent with three other
recruits, all of whom were criminals. I was glad to be away
from Drentwych, and I really did hope that a change of scenery
would make for a refreshing new start. All things considered,
being a soldier didn’t sound too bad, and it certainly beat

the alternative. I was rather disappointed with basic training
though. I really had hoped to be suitably instructed and taught
military secrets. Instead, I was given a couple of lessons on how
to use a spear and shield. I was taught how to tell the rank of
soldiers and, most important, I was taught that my job was to
accompany the Tax-Collector and make sure commoners didn’t
give him any trouble. To say the least, I was displeased with my

new job. I was stationed at Over Hampton, a mining community
not far from Wist Hill. Most of my fellow soldiers allowed their
fitness to slacken, content with spending their days beating