Taking Command of the Legion: The First Joint Deployment

Gavin had thought the young lord would announce orders for reorganization before the eyes of more than three thousand men, then establish his authority with a speech.

Shien merely turned toward the camp road outside the central parade ground. "Each battalion will retain its current organization. Return to your quarters and await orders."

The order quickly spread. The officers on the parade ground led their units back to camp, and the flags of their original legions returned to their stations as well.

Shien took Maren with him and had Gavin and Herman accompany them, beginning his inspection along the main Military Road beside the central parade ground.

The three regular legions had divided their camps according to their established practices, with every battalion entrance facing this main road. Shien walked a short distance along it and soon stopped before several intersecting wheel ruts.

When the cavalry battalions deployed, they entered the main Military Road directly. Once the horses passed through, transport wagons had to wait near the camp gates for their turn.

Farther along, the heavy trailers used by the Wallwalkers also had to pass through here, their bulk and turning radius taking up most of the road.

After checking the road's width, Shien turned to examine the distances between the battalion entrances. "The legion will coordinate traffic on the main Military Road. Leave the battalion entrances as they are."

He told Maren, "Record each unit's transit times first. Once we have all the data, we'll set the order."

Maren immediately added a note to the legion operations map.

Gavin stood beside him, his gaze settling on the battalion flags along the road.

Upon entering the camp, the first thing Shien had noticed was the main road shared by several units. He preserved the camp layouts the battalions were accustomed