H A R U M P H ;

We got a good group of men this year. I haven't heard much complaining and everyone seems to be doing their damnedest to be the best that they can be. It's been a long time since I've had so little to complain about. It feels kind of good, except it means I don't have anything interesting to write about. What good is a magic journal when you can't complain about all the rotten good for nothing kids you have to deal with on a daily basis?

[Filter: Private]

Harumph. It never ceases to amaze me how similar that damn girl is to me when I was younger. I wanted to be a soldier. I wanted to fight on the front lines. I wanted to receive orders and execute them with precision. I wanted to make my Lord and superior officers proud. The last thing I wanted was to be in charge of a bunch of fresh new recruits. Training men isn't glamorous. Training doesn't get you respect and glory. You're not in charge of anything important, and Dragons know I didn't think I knew the first thing about teaching anyone to be soldiers. Hell, I ran off and fled to Hanalan thinking I wasn't cut out for even being a damn grunt.

Turns out it was the best damn thing that ever coulda happened to me. I'm going to miss this job.

She'll see it the same way, one day. I hope.

[Filter: Mi]

Listen. Lord Niall is riding me about naming my replacement. I need an answer, and I'm sick of you stalling and not giving me one. I can only stall him for so long before he is going to go and pick a replacement for me.

Harumph. How is it I always end up being just as busy during my few months off as I do when I'm actively training some new men? There's always something isn't there? I'm getting too old for this.

Mi. Tell the rest of the men I don't need them to watch my dogs tomorrow. I finally have a bit of free time to take them out myself for once. Unless of course they want to tag along anyways. I won't begrudge them that but if they do they'd better be ready for a good workout.

My poor dogs are getting as sick of all this snow. They barely want to leave the barn anymore and it's starting to stink in there more than usual. It's going to need a damn good cleaning when spring comes. They're going to get fat if I can't get them to come out to exercise anymore. Shucks is already starting to look more like a watermelon than a dog. I'm going to have to lower their food intake.

[Filter: Mi]

Alright, we'll use your idea, but with a few changes. First, the two groups will be required to choose their own leader. How they do so is up to the group. The leader will be assigned with the job of telling us which of the recruits make the cut, and who, if anyone, should be sent home. Second, there will be an additional rule. When a group hears a bugle, they must stop working and immediately stand at attention. Any recruit who fails to do this will get a strike against them, and after three strikes they are sent home and declared failures.

Each group will be assigned a clearing in the woods that is far enough apart that they cannot hear anything happening at the other. Each group is to build an obstacle course that is to act as the other group's final exam, and write out instructions that the other group leader will use to administer it to his team. We will give them the materials needed. Each group will also be required to build a camp and spend the night. We will also warn them that bandits have been seen recently, and that while there should be no reason to be alarmed, they need to be careful anyways.

That should be enough to set the stage for our surprise attack. That evening we will take a small group of men disguised as bandits. These "bandits" will be told to attempt to sneak in and steal any belongings that they can. I will choose some of my most experienced soldiers, who I believe will be able to strike fear in the groups as well as avoid any injuries.

The bugles are to keep the worst from happening. We will surprise each group three times throughout the day, each time giving stern lectures to anyone who does not immediately drop everything they are doing to stand at attention. If possible, they should be blown at very inopportune times to help drive this point home. We must be very strict about giving out strikes, so that if we need to use the bugles during the surprise attacks to put an end to it, we can. The "bandits" will be under the same instructions, so that should we have to end it, they will also stand at attention and be of no threat to our recruits.

Is there anything I am missing?

[Filter: Private]

I still don't like it. There are too many variables I cannot control.

Every holiday it's the same. I tell those damn kids they get some time off and I swear they look at me like I just sprouted antlers out of my damn forehead. This week cannot get over soon enough. I'm getting too old for this. I want my two days of peace and quiet and a break from having to babysit a bunch of punk kids. I'm getting too old for this shit.

Training is going better than I thought it would with such a big group. I might not even have to extend the session by another week or two like I thought I would. Having three groups is definitely working out, at least for the most part.

[Filter: Mi]

Harumph. You picked the other two leaders well.

[Filter: Private]

Harumph. You never seen men fighting like this. They get into an argument, throw a few punches, then have a beer and it's over. I'm sick of all this dragons damned drama. At least that girl won't be trying to undermine Mi anymore, but I might regret telling them whatever Mi says is as good as an order coming from me. That girl's going to get a big damn head.

[Filter: Public]

The last of the new recruits should be arriving tomorrow. I'll give them until the rest of the week to get settled. I have a feeling it's going to take some work to fit all those damn kids into the barracks. I haven't had to deal with a group this large in years.

The weather definitely isn't getting any better, and the worst month of the summer is still to come. I guess it's time to send the new recruits home and pick up where we left off when the summer is over. Harumph.

Mi. Spread the word. I expect everyone back on September 1st. With any luck it should start cooling down by then, or at the very least not so hot that it keeps us from getting any damn work done. They don't have to leave if they don't want or have no where else to go, but I can't imagine anyone would want to stay in that barracks any longer than they have to.