The next two weeks were spent preparing , the soldiers of Calormene drilled constantly, the parade grounds were always full of men practicing and drilling, in one of the training areas Haytham walked accompanied by his recently assigned aide de camps. One of these men was named Kamal and he was an ambitious young lieutenant and eager to earn Haytham's praise. "This way general." He said leading Haytham to one of the drill fields.
"Which company is this?" "Israds sir, Halberdiers all of them." Dust flew into the air as a whole company of men all armed with halberds marched forward, their footfalls echoed off the surrounding stone walls, each man was shoulder to shoulder every footfall the same as the man next to him.
The company continued until command to halt, abruptly the men stopped with a loud grunt from all of them, "Brace!" A officer commanded each man quickly took a position, those in front knelt down their halberds held along their sides the sinister looking points toward an unknown adversary, each row had their halberds pointed forward the result a seemingly impenetrable row of sharp blades. Not a man moved a muscle; Haytham was satisfied he allowed Kamal to lead him to another drill pad.
"This is the archery range sir; I'm told some of the finest archers in Calormene make up this company." Haytham found himself behind a row of archers, "Fire a sergeants command ordered, the men let fly with several arrows and almost immediately grabbed another arrow from their quiver and knocked it, "Stretch!" The command came, "Fire!" "Would you like to see the target dummies sir?" "Please." The two men waited until the archers had exhausted their ammunition and then they walked to the dummies.
Each dummy was man sized and consisted of a cloth pulled over straw to resemble head and body. Haytham was pleased to see that every target was a veritable pincushion. "Impressive." Haytham commented. "I hoped you would be pleased sir." "Where to next?" "Hand infantry." The two made their way to yet another training field there they found men engaged fighting each other with practice weapons, these weapons resembled Calormene scimitars and axes. The men blocked, parried and slashed at each other, they kicked up a load of dust into the air and the courtyard rang with the clash of arms, they danced with each other trying to get a "killing" blow in on each other. Apart from the duelist was another group of men armed with short spears they were attacking staw dummies with the spears.
"Not like that, thrust higher or I'll lash you!" A sergeant yelled, Kamal gestured that they should be off and the two left for their final review of the day, "This is the cavalry field sir." Haytham was pleased to note the fine Calormene lancers atop their horses they were a magnificent spectacle holding their lances high, and making mock charges at each other. "Splendid!" Haytham exclaimed, he could not ask for better men.
The following night Haytham held a dinner for all his officers, he needed to know what kind of men his leaders were, he was pleased to note that they were all experienced and eager for conquest. "How is it these Telmarines managed to conquer Narnia and we tried and failed several times?" This man who spoke was a captain in charge of one of the cavalry companies. "I think I can answer that." Haytham said, "The Narnians knew about us they knew where we could attack from they didn't know a thing about the Telmarines."
"And what do we know about them?" This was the captain of the archers, "We have had very little contact with them aside for a few merchants." Haytham shrugged, "They are men like us though they have an odd accent about them." The night wore on and soon the officers excused themselves until only Haytham remained he stretched suddenly tired.
Getting up from the table that was littered with half finished meals and overturned goblets Haytham made his way out of the tent that had been used for the occasion. It was a clear night and the rest of the army had been camped outside the city using the palace fortress and courtyards for drill, Haytham sniffed as a desert wind blew past him, it was a fine night to walk beneath the stars and to think.
He passed by a guard who seemed to be shuddering though it didn't seem to be the night, he didn't seem to notice Haytham ,the guard muttered something to himself. Haytham passed him by a jackal howled somewhere in the night a long eerie howl. Haytham heard a whimper somewhere, "What in Tash?" Haytham thought, he found the source of the sound a crumpled shape lay in the dirt a man. "Get up!" Haytham commanded the figure shot up to its feet quickly.
Haytham recognized the man as one of his men a mere soldier in one of the regiments, "What were you doing down there?" He demanded, the man gulped, "I was just trying to pray." "Why?" Haytham demanded, "Because I'm so scared I think I'm not going to survive, I'm a coward." He sobbed, "So I pray to ?Tash that unworthy as I am he'll protect me." Haytham understood exactly, "So you're a coward? What makes you so sure?" "Because I'm terrified of the coming battles." "What is your name?" "Zayd." "Well Zayd, do you have any friends?" "Yes," "And what would you do if someone was trying to hurt your friends?" "I'd try to healp them." "What if you were outnumbered?"
"I'd still do it." 'Even if they were armed?" "Yes." "Well how is that any different then what you will have to do in a battle? In a battle many people will try to hurt your friends it is up to you to stop them. Zayd there is no shame in being scared there is only shame in letting it be your master." "Yes, sir." The soldier breathed, "Now go get some sleep you'll need it." With that Haytham turned his back, "Wait." "Yes?" "Who are you?" "General, Haytham." With that he left without a look behind him.
Finally after a week in preparation the campaign was ready to set out, the force consisted of two Halberd companies three cavalry companies, the archers and the spear, sword and axe men. The entire force stood assembled below the kings palace. The Calormene king himself stood on a balcony facing the legions, "My brave soldiers, today we send you out to war, war against a new enemy. I have faith in you, you are my mighty fist, and you triumph where others fail. A loud cheer rose up. "Now go brave warriors and bring us back victory." Another cheer rose up, with that the army marched proudly thru the city and out the main gates as women and children cheered them on.
After they were well out of sight of the city the soldiers fell into route step, meaning they only walked in step they could look around and chat a little bit it was practical while marching in the desert heat, Haytham didn't want to lose any men to heat exhaustion. "A long march to go." He said to himself.