Chapter 4 – The Local Defense
The Local Defense serves both as a local policing force and a standing militia. It is structured in military fashion with some men serving full time while others only serve an occasional rotation. They are called Reserve Defenders. All able bodied men are obligated to serve full time for four seasons after schooling. After that they may choose to remain full time as William did, or they can pursue lives ‘outside’ as farmers or merchants and such. Even father being a merchant is still obligated to serve a rotation on the watch every season. All the men in town maintain status as Reserve Defenders until they are no longer able.
Viewing Kidron as almost a square, it is bordered on two adjacent sides by woods. The perimeter towers looked into these deep forests. The Olden River was on one side which led out to the sea. The other side is a small cliff face that looks out over the Great Sea. There is not much of a beach below. It is mostly rocks.
The local patrol is done in shifts taking portions of the day within the team. The team is on duty usually for a day at a time. Local patrol also includes manning the perimeter towers, cliff towers, and river patrol. Mostly they are in place for lending assistance to anyone in trouble on the water. There are towers on the cliffs to watch out mostly for incoming merchant ships, although they also keep an eye out for trouble headed our way. The Local Defense has met more than one landing party on the shore and asked them to find other port. Mostly though the occasional ship will come to trade for supplies and are gone in a day. There are also perimeter patrols and deep patrols.
The perimeter patrols are done two days at a time. They patrol outside of town in the woods some on foot and some on horse just beyond the sight of our perimeter towers. The perimeter patrol is usually conducted by teams of full time defenders paired with the reserves. The perimeter patrols have been known to catch youth who are up to no good in the woods and take them straight to their parents. You learn early on in Kidron to respect the Local Defense. They also ensure large animals don’t make it into town which usually provides meat for feasts and celebrations.
The deep patrol teams go out for a couple weeks at a time. They are the most structured and regimented teams of the Local Defense. There are always three deep patrol teams roving at the same time. One is newly out; one is midway through their rotation, and one s nearing the end at any given time. The deep patrols are always done by those who chose to serve full time. They rotate between patrol types spending a few days between duties after deep patrol unless there are specific needs.
Only a full time defender’s rank has any authority unless they are on patrol. William was recently promoted to Leftenant. This is the lowest ranking officer. Entering the Local Defense, you are given the title of Defender. The creed states that every member of the Local Defense is a Defender first. This is meant both figuratively and literally. The word is used both as a specific rank and to describe anyone in the force. The first promotion is to Sergeant. This is the highest rank the reserves achieve. Sergeants are then assigned as Watch Commanders. This is more a position instead of a rank. The officers are promoted out of the Sergeant ranks, not necessarily Watch Commanders. The officers’ ranks are (in order) Leftenant, Captain, Commander, and of course there is the Commandant. He serves until he appoints a replacement or until the town’s Elders remove him by unanimous vote. No Commandant has ever been removed, but exists as the process in case there is need.
There is surprisingly little fuss (at least publicly) over promotions. They are in no way automatic. Promotions occur when the need arises and is based on an individual’s abilities and the force’s need. William was certainly not the most senior in experience, but most would agree he was the best choice for instance. He was always the bravest and strongest in his class at school. No one can match his sword, but more important; most men will follow him off a cliff if he goes.
Life for a full time defender is not bad. There is little pay, but most all the town treats them to meals, often to merchandise and so on. In that respect they are similar to the prophets who receive no pay unless someone gives them a gift. In both cases their needs are mostly met (and many of their desires if they are not extravagant) by the goodness of the town people. It is taught in Kidron that folk owe them for the service they provide. Mostly no one disagrees.
William went to the watch office to review the reports as he was to report for deep patrol the next day. “Good day Leftenant!” The Watch Commander said as he entered.
“Good day. How are the patrols running?” William asked. He had known Watch Commander George all his life. He was the same age as William’s father. He was not able to do much patrolling anymore, but desired to serve and enjoyed filing the reports and was very good at keeping the rosters and the men organized. Seeing that he held the rank of Sergeant, he had been given the permanent position of Watch Commander for the deep and perimeter patrols when William was still in schooling. He and the other Watch Commanders, (there were three for local patrol that shared responsibility) kept things running smoothly. The Officers mainly focused their efforts on leading the men on patrols and training.
“Everyone is mostly reporting on time and there have not been any incidents all season.” WC George prided himself not only on being organized, but on keeping recent patrol reports in his memory. “Is there something in particular you wanted to know about? I heard there was a nice sized bear out there. You have been known to bring them in…”
“Actually, I wanted to know about something more serious. Could I speak with you outside?” William wasn’t sure exactly what he was going to say, but he knew he could trust WC George and his father’s words from the evening before had replayed in William’s mind all night. Was there anything to father’s fears or was he just concerned over nothing?
The two men went outside the office, outside of earshot of defenders going about their normal business and the elder said, “William, I have known you for sometime and you look like something is wrong. Is it your father? Has he fallen ill?”
“It’s nothing like that, but he has gotten me thinking about a story he told me last night after supper. Father is concerned about increasing reports of sightings in the woods outside town.” William spoke with a careful tone.
“What do you mean? I told you about the bear. Last week the perimeter patrols caught some of the school boys sneaking out during their lessons. What reports are you referring to?
“Reports that the woods watchers have returned. Do you know anything about this?” As soon as William had said the name he saw a shift in the face of his comrade.
“Where did you hear this?” The experienced defender was now very grave. His face was a bit pale now as if a sense of dread had swept over him. “What do you know of them?”
“Not much, again my father said he was hearing rumors. He just shared with me about his father fighting them in the last war. I am not even sure if this is something to be concerned about, but as I lie in my rack last night I could not get father’s words out of my mind. As I prayed I could find no relief. Please tell me I am spooked for no reason.” William sounded desperate. He was.
“William, I have been all but ordered not to mention such things. The elders think I am paranoid, but for two seasons I have been awakened in the night with that same dread. I pray for answers, but feel only more certain that dark days are ahead. There have been increasing reports of mysterious things in the woods. People, good and honest people, have reported feeling like they were followed but never a clear sighting. Since no one can say for sure, their reports are going unfiled and I am told there is no evidence. If your father is similarly concerned then I am assured the Elevated King is warning us. There are few men as aware as your father, William.”
“I don’t know what to say. Between you and father I must say I am chilled to the core about something I have never seen. Who else have you spoken to about this? I am sure the Commandant would listen to you. You have many seasons of respected service.” William said.
“It may come to that, lad. For the time, my Commander has asked me to be discreet about such conversations. The elders met with him about this. For now I will abide by that instruction. I tell you keep your eyes open, though. Be on guard and in prayer. I hope for all our sakes that I am wrong, but I do not believe I am. I must be back to my post now. We will speak again when you come back from your deep patrol.” With that WC George placed his hand on William’s shoulder and whispered a brief prayer of protection for him, then turned and went inside once again.
William thought it just his imagination, but at that moment he suddenly felt as if he were being watched. He spun about and saw nothing out of the ordinary, but this feeling was to last for some time to come. “Well, I’ll either be ready when the time comes or lose sleep for nothing.” William thought to himself. He gathered the required reports and set back to check his supplies for the coming patrol.
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