The slope was not high, roughly a hundred meters, and because of the fortress's intervention, most of its vegetation consisted of low shrubs and thorny weeds.
Peddy, a militiaman, was nervously helping a companion beside him pull on a suit of chain mail.
Putting on armor was never easy. Even chain mail, which looked simple enough to slip on like a coat, required some care.
First, Peddy helped his companion put on an arming garment with a linen exterior and compressed cotton inside. It absorbed sweat, reduced the friction of the Chain Mail against the skin, and provided some cushioning.
Then he kept the Chain Mail flat while the wearer stood in the middle of the mail shirt, slipped his head through the neck opening, and pushed his arms into the sleeves. Slowly, he lifted the shirt until it covered his entire upper body down to his waist.
Generally, a person could put on a waist-length Chain Mail shirt alone. A knee-length one, on the other hand, required help.
The Chain Mail the militiamen were wearing was the latter. Once his companion had it on, Peddy still had to help secure the belt around his waist and fasten the front clasps, making sure the Chain Mail fitted snugly.
Since all the militiamen had iron helmets, they did not need Chain Mail coifs.
Finally, another companion checked the Chain Mail, from back to front and top to bottom, leaving no part unchecked.
Holding a storm lantern, Peddy completed the process with undivided attention. Once he was sure his companion's Chain Mail was properly fitted, he handed him the lantern and held his arms out, waiting for his companion to help him into his own armor.
The procedure was not complicated, but the instructors had spent three days and broken several rattan