It is a common misconception that wars are won by strength alone. All too many young men and women have jumped at the chance to take part in battle for fame and fortune, believing that all they needed to succeed was a good sword arm, a fine weapon, and the endless passion that dwelt in their heart. Some of these unfortunate souls found their end on the end of someone's spear but all too often their doom was spelled out by things far more mundane. A lack of proper gear lead them to perish in the night from exposure. Untreated wounds festered and turned to illness. Thirst and hunger have killed far more than any one nation's armies.

Those who truly know war, the ones who have lived through or studied many a campaign know that there is more to battle than simple manpower. Terrain can allow a smaller force to entrench and survive the onslaught of a bigger force. Well rested and emboldened troops can smash through the ranks of a tired and demoralized column. A camp stocked with medical supplies and healers can return more soldiers to the field than one without. In war, armies live and die by their ability to support and provide for their people.

It is for this reason that Eliwood had taken to digging a small trench in the ground some distance away from where his army had made camp for the day. Not one that would be used to fortify their position, nor would it be used to set traps for incoming enemies.

Eliwood dug this trench for the simple fact that his army required a place to poop.

That it was Eliwood who toiled away at this chore was unusual, but not unexpected given the circumstances. In the early days of his journey, a proper latrine trench was unnecessary. The few men (and Rebecca) that the young lord had assembled were more than capable of taking care of their business on their own. There were not so many of them that they would have to clammier for privacy. This changed as more and more people joined their cause. Once a dozen or so had joined up it was no longer feasible to continue on without some form of organization. Latrine ditches didn't dig themselves though, it was a task that needed to be assigned to someone.

Normally, the solution was to make the knights do it. They were actually being paid to be here having sworn themselves to their lord or lady. And on any other day that's how it would have worked without any issues. However, some problems presented themselves that made all of the knights unavailable. Today's battle had resulted in more casualties than normal, which meant that Oswin had to devote his full attention to setting up the camp instead of helping others. Marcus was escorting Merlinus into town to help round up some supplies to tend to the injured. Lowen was busy preparing for a much needed dinner, that being whatever Wil and Rebecca were able to find on their hunt. Kent and Sain were among those who were too badly injured to help keep watch and had to be replaced by Florina for the time being.

And so it was that young Eliwood was left with only one option. He took off his armor, donned a simple tunic, grabbed a shovel, and began digging. For a time the task, while exhausting, was peaceful.

For a time...

"I've often heard people use the phrase 'digging themselves deeper', but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be rhetorical." Hector's jovial voice boomed from behind Eliwood. The young lord simply sighed and continued with tossing dirt off to the side without turning around to look at his friend. He didn't have to in order to picture the ear to ear grin that he was sure was on Hector's face. It was to be expected, Eliwood know that his friend wouldn't be able to resist a jab or two at him.

"Can you imagine what they'd say at court if they could see this now? Especially that dink Erik, I can already hear his voice." Hector proceeded with the same tone Eliwood heard everyone use when making fun of a noble. "Perfect Eliwood deigned to touch peasant tools and perform manual labor like some sort of commoner? Servants, bring me my finest pantaloons! My time has come to upstage that soft-hearted buffoon!" Hector punctuated the final remark with painfully fake laughter and Eliwood couldn't help but smile slightly. Given that they had finished fighting Erik and learning his true opinions mere days ago a slight bit of mockery at his expense was amusing. The boy deserved it...

"Tell me, Hector, have you considered giving up the life of a lord to become a jester? Hector the Fool, with wit as sharp as a hammer." Hector let out a snort and Eliwood could practically feel him roll his eyes at him. The Pheraen lord knew that it was somewhat of a low blow to compare Hector to a court jester, as so many others before him were apt to do. But Eliwood would rather face his wrath than his jokes at the moment.

Fortunately one of Hector's many redeeming values was being able to read between the lines in conversations like this and not get angry. Unfortunately he still had an agenda to follow.

"Well if you're going to be like that, maybe you'd rather take a few swings at me to vent a little bit. Come on, you have to admit that it is silly for a lord to be digging an outhouse like this when you have an entire army to do it for you."

"It may be my army but they aren't my knights." Eliwood shook his head as he responded and tossed another shovel full of dirt onto the growing pile. "It's not fair for me to ask them." Even as a lord, who was he to force volunteers to do anything when they so willingly put their lives on the line for the sake of finding his own father?

"Life isn't fair, if they're part of an army they should get used to that. You have more important things to do anyways, like figuring out how we're going to find a way to the Dread Isle. We have plenty of able bodied men who can do this instead. Like right over there, it's that mercenary that works for Lyn and all he's doing right now is talking to his girlfriend. I think it's time he earned his pay."

Eliwood looked around until he saw Raven leaning against a tree and conversing with Lucius. "Wait… He isn't a..." As much as Eliwood would have enjoyed teasing Hector for something like this, he did not feel like getting into this conversation again today. Not after getting into an argument with Merlinus when he requested a count of everyone he needed to purchase supplies for. Instead he decided on a different course of action to silence his friend.

"You know what? You're right Hector. You do have a few vassals besides Oswin after all, why don't you call Matthew and Serra over here to help out?" Hector responded with a sound somewhere between frustration and embarrassment as Eliwood found himself smiling again. He knew that for all his bluster, Hector was no better at ordering around his own people than Eliwood was ordering around volunteers. Matthew had an almost supernatural talent for dodging jobs like this and Serra...well, they would all end up deaf before any work was done. Silence reigned between the two men for a few moments before Eliwood heard Hector's footsteps disappear into the distance.

Eliwood planned on apologizing for all of this later, but right now he simply wanted to get this over with. Hector was right after all, he did have other things he needed to do. As good of a friend as he could be, Hector had a talent for being stubborn and would only make this take longer with his teasing and coaxing. Digging a latrine needed to be done, and what kind of message did it send if he gave up after a few minutes and made someone else do it for him? The young lord refused to appear so weak.

Eliwood's musings were interrupted by a soft thud beside him, causing him to pause and look. Hector had returned, sans armor and lordly attire. Instead he wore a tunic much like Eliwood had on. Another shovel was slung over his shoulder, in the same way Hector held his axe. Despite his chagrin, the Ostian lord managed a friendly smile.

"Regardless of what you say, Eliwood, I still think it's ridiculous for you to be out here doing this. But since you insist on playing in the dirt I guess my only choice is to help you so you get it done faster." Eliwood grinned, remembering once again why Hector was such a good friend to have and returned to digging the trench with vigor. They completed the chore and hung the privacy tarps without any further interruptions.

It would be the last time either lord would have to dig latrines. Inspired by their actions, several other volunteers agreed to help and began taking turns on latrine duty. Something that did not go unnoticed by Eliwood, nor did he let it go without mentioning it to Hector.

Delegation has its place, but there was something to be said about leadership by example.