A Letter Home
Hey babe,
As you well know, I am patrolling Northwich while it is being rebuilt. I am ready to complete my rotation. I hate the barracks.
I carry weapons of death and materials to prevent it. I may need to use them
I am dedicated to keeping the Camp and Campfire safe. I prepare my mind for death, and I prepare my mind for survival.
I am not my own. I am a servant to the Camp and the Kingdom of La Longi. I have to keep telling myself this.
My shift is over. The noises last night were terrifying. There is a clearing, and then the forest. The noises came from the forest. They are not natural sounds.
I am confident enough to admit my fear. Fear is a motivator, my love. I was shaken last night, but I commit to my post.
Shadows cast themselves in contorted ways every night. I am happy the sun is out. The noises coupled with the tricks my mind plays makes it hard to maintain personal discipline.
The Beast is a fearful creature. I fear him more than the noises. His stare makes me shrink inside. You remember that mongrel when he was in town. You know.
I am glad he is not here. I laugh and joke with the other guards about the Beast.
The Beast has caught us making light of him. He did nothing but walk outside of the Camp. He has not been around lately. I shivered inside when he heard us. He is not right.
I just left the Campfire for the daily briefing. The Brother says we are going to build our defenses.
He spoke of the Beast. He claims there are unseen enemies making noise in the night. He says the Beast holds them at bay.
Whatever.
If he is going to make us build something, he had better make sure we get paid better. I am so sick of that hard nosed man.
What’s in it for me?
The Brother told us to not be discouraged by the noises. This is easy for him to say, he tends the Campfire. What gives anyway? How did a “freedman” get his own village?
Politics. Plain and simple.
I am good at my job. It is hard to take additional responsibility sometimes. It is thankless work, and my morale is wavering.
Regardless of my feelings, I am a guard. I took an oath. I live and die for the Camp. I love my people. I am prepared to bleed for them.
I am sending this with a traveller. I hope this gets to you. Please do not show the children this letter, but do give them my love.
Scout Report
Last night, at approximately 0200 hours at the forest line, I,(name withheld) was observing the perimeter of the camp at the tree line. This is my current job assignment. There was what sounded like fighting in the forest. The fighting lasted approximately 15 minutes. I heard a guttural roar throughout the fighting. I heard wailing and shrieking in the area.
At approximately 0530 hours, I was unable to signal anyone and did not find it appropriate to leave my post.
As per Standard Operation Procedure, I took what steps I could to isolate and contain the area where the sounds came from.
I walked to the area and found tracks in the snow that in my perception belong to the Beast. The tracks span an area of approximately 10 yards.
Other tracks were observed. There is a peppery odor that also burns the eyes.
Due to the serious nature of this incident, I am requesting this report be kept confidential.
End Of Report
Winter wheat is going in the ground. It is back breaking work to bring a loaf of bread to the table.
We are all working and planting. All the seeds have to be covered so the birds do not see them.
James Rainport intercepted a letter from a guard this morning. He was clearly unimpressed with insubordination in the letter and informed the guard of this. James asked me what action I was going to take and I informed him to send the letter. While I do not like to be slighted, it was a man blowing off steam to his wife. He was probably embarrassed anyway. I told James to take him under his wing.
James does not like my style of leadership and has said as much. I reminded him that I did not consider his actions as insubordination for saying he would be my overseer one day.
I informed James Rainport of my style.
In a perfect scenario, when soldiers are in formation and in a parade yard, I require absolute obedience and discipline. They are a single entity. When we defend or attack as a unit we work as such. No deviation from the big picture as directed.
Here lies the problem:
As far as we are from La Longi, individual problem solving is a must. Most of the time the guards and scouts need to work alone. This is not a textbook environment. Decisions need to be made instantly at times.
Given the nature of this understaffed assignment I regard a letter to a spouse stating a commitment of protecting the camp and a feeling of being overworked and underpaid valuable critical thinking. It demonstrates the ability to weigh things out and make these decisions in an undermanned perimeter.
I sent James on a patrol around Northwich with several men.
The patrol will be in clover leaf pattern.
There were sounds in the night and there have been for weeks. Light seems to keep a lot of night critters at bay.
Author: Benjamin
Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...
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I had forgotten that incident with the letter.
James caught it. He paid attention to the little things when working for Brother. I agree with Emreson for letting the letter go, but I also agree with James for intecepting it.
Hey dad. You’re son, Ben, my annoying brother, pitched a horrible fit earlier. I told him I would tell you and he went wild knowing he would be in trouble. Just thought I should inform you of his attitude.
What?
Just like when your wife said “this was a good idea, Lydia”
That ugly “what!?” JK
Oh, well, you are a snotty nose!
I don’t care big mouth!
Everything you say on here before he sees this, will add to your punishment.
Dad!!! She’s keeping me from posting about spriklers!
And how!?
She prattles on and on….. She didn’t do her chores either!
Dude! I don’t have any chores! What’s the fuss?
Well… You lost your socks over the winter and gave them to
THe ALCHEMIST!
I’m never laughed so hard!
It never gets cold enough for socks down here.
That’s what the Alchemist told you to say!
Not uh
I’d rather give them to the Alchemist than to you.
Wait until dad finds out!
What’s he gonna do?
Ooh… You just wait!😡
Tomorrow morning will be one week from the icey challenge!
This spat changed fast! Yes it is! Good times!
Lol no!! Umm I have a question
Ok!
Why did you use that red emoji?
To fake being angry!
Ha! It was the cussing emoji. I didn’t think you cussed.
Anyway, I’m going to bed. Can’t wait to find out what happened to you when I wake up!
Noo… Its not!
It is.
👮👮👮👮👮Great. Now the emoji police have come to take me away.
Not really. I just thought you weren’t ‘that kind’ of person.
Oh dear, I just looked it up. I misused an emoji. I am so sorry. Had no clue.
I used it in the definition of
“to convey an outburst of anger, frustration, or rage.”
That is a definition of this emoji.
Ok but you still did it.
That is correct. I made a poor choice that was more of a mistake. I know this is very important to you and I am sorry. Before I responed to this, I made an apology post that will air at 4 PM MST
You’re kidding right!?
No.
But you didn’t do it on a blog post or anything, so why?
Something to do! You are my little sister after all!
I hope I’m not in trouble with you.
You, are not in trouble with me!
Is all of this over just the cussing emoji!?
I mention it in passing! You are all good. Stop stressing!😃
Every time I go to the doctor, I have stress markers everywhere! I cannot stop stressing. Impossible!!!!!!
To make it worse, I won’t be able to see that post until late tonight because I’m working all this afternoon and some this evening.
Sounds stressful! Will you be working on the old house?
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
I am not to be stressed about. You are my little sister and I feel protective about you. 🤠🔥
Thanks
You are welcome!
You are too sensitive and I am telling dad!
Go ahead.
I’m sleeping now
“He says the beast holds them at bay.
Whatever.”
Great line.
Ha Ha! Thank you!
Nice!
Very good and intriguing.
Thank you. I am throwing back stories so people can get an odea of my ongoing story. Would you like a marshmallow or hot chocolate?