Roderick was left speechless by Tommy's words—soft yet unyielding, carrying a stubborn streak. He opened his mouth, still wanting to say something, perhaps invoke Steward Edgar's orders, or simply use a battalion commander's authority to force him back. But as he looked at Tommy's young yet earnest profile, watched him mingle naturally among the soldiers and encourage them without the slightest pretense, those words lodged in his throat once more.
This kid... perhaps he wasn't as hopeless as Roderick had thought? At the very least, this courage and determination surpassed that of many raw recruits he had seen.
But courage alone wasn't enough on a battlefield...
Just as Roderick waged an inner battle, hesitating between forcibly hauling Tommy back to the fort or allowing him to remain at this dangerous forward position—
Bang!
A crisp, abrupt Flintlock Rifle shot suddenly rang out from the northern forest! The gunshot echoed through the silent valley, exceptionally shrill and alarming!
Everyone froze at that instant—whether they had been digging, tamping down earth, hauling wooden stakes, or Roderick and Tommy in the middle of their conversation!
As if struck by a binding spell, the soldiers jerked their heads up and stared north, toward the source of the gunshot.
The tension hanging in the air was instantly set ablaze by that single shot.
Roderick's heart sank! The thing he had feared most had happened! The scouts he had sent out had encountered the enemy!
"Stand ready!" he roared almost instinctively, his voice warped by tension.
The officers at the forward position snapped out of it as well, barking orders. "Quick! Into position! Musketeers, take your places!"
The soldiers threw down their tools, snatched up the Flintlock Rifles propped against the breastwork, and swiftly moved into the newly dug skirmish trenches and firing positions, still carrying