LEOZINA, DAY 1 of the L.W.M.—The numbers of the Leozina Watch Militia steadily grew over the course of the afternoon, as more and more people heard of the establishment thereof, and came to join up. There was developing suspicion within some quarters of the population of the growing Royalist presence, however none were brave enough to venture out and declare their opposition to an entire militia of virile men. Of course, the militia was not only filled with the young and strong, and there were a sizeable number of those more advanced in age. East reckoned that they would likely serve well in administration or in public service, rather than in battle, if worse came to worst. He and Thatcher, after a pleasant lunch, decided to get things going quicker. Some posters had been packed in the crates, and they were quickly posted strategically in the streets and known haunts of Royalist sympathisers.
Training had begun for the watchmen already enlisted on a large, square and flat green close to the city centre. They were first instructed in the standard rules of behaviour, including the rank structure of the Militia, uniform requirements and soldierly behaviour. Most quickly grasped the idea, no doubt hastened by the ever-present real threat of attack and thus the pertinent need for discipline within the ranks. Though some military theorists had hitherto posited that drill and marching were of secondary importance to military and tactical ability, East firmly believed in the need for strict discipline, sharp drill and effortless marching as the key foundation of a successful armed force. Indeed, most of the men already knew the general tenets of marching and drill already, and with practice, became rather good at the basics of marching and halting for only a few hours' work, though the timing of the movements left much to be desired.
At the end of the afternoon, the militia had amounted to over 300 men, which had been ordered to form in four ranks facing the centre of the green. Most were sloppily dressed in their normal street clothes and apart from positions in file and ranks their bore little resemblance to soldiers. East found a sturdy box and stood out in front of the formed-up men.
“From what I have seen, to day has been an excellent and most productive first day of the Leozina Watch Militia. I shall have much good news to send to our good friend Sir Alexander about the most positive efforts displayed by you, his loyal subjects. The road ahead will be difficult; our enemies must we vanquish, and thereby advance the Cause and deliver Leozina and Posteastan into the hands of him who is ordained by God. But God preventeth us with his blessings of goodness and goodwill, and the Holy Ghost chargeth us with spirit and determination. Let us therefore pray in the way Christ our Lord taught us.”
Taking off their hats and berets, the green resounded with the intonation that was so familiar to all Orthodox Posteastans and Christians every where: “Our Father which art in heaven; hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.”
This done, East continued. “Now, you will have surely all realise by now that serving in His Posteastan Majesty's Militia is not easy. You will have to learn discipline, order, and obedience. To day, you have been taught by your officers and by those who have had experience in the armed forces, the basic tenets of military drill and marching. You may ask, 'Why need must we learn how to walk and move in a fanciful fashion? When we be under attack nothing, no about of marching or turning about will save us, surely, but skill and experience with the firearm.' But I must tell you all that are here assembled now, and to all who are yet to join us: a fighting force need must have discipline and order and obedience. It is no use of your leaders plan an attack but each one of you decides to do things his own way. No; a fighting force is a unified force. This is what we must instil in you.
“Furthermore, it is a means of raising morale within Leozina itself. When your wives, sisters, children or friends see us marching down the street, in smart uniforms and rifles, their hearts shall be lightened and filled with hope that we shall indeed, vanquish the enemies of the Cause and bring peace to these lands. But do not fear; you shall surely be taught military strategy, learn how to shoot straight, how to use the various weapons which we are presently obtaining for the Militia here, and how to defend and attack. To morrow, Company I, led presently by Captain Daniel Ionescu, will practise the use of the rifle. Therefore, every man in Company I who already owns or has a rifle at home, is to bring it to morrow at 0900 hours.
“That is, however, not the only job of this Militia. We must also serve the people of Leozina. Firstly, the present government-controlled police are ineffective and poorly or irregularly paid. Starting from tomorrow morning, there shall be men patrolling the streets of Leozina from dawn to dusk, in shifts. Company II shall for this week have this job, patrolling the streets, maintaining the peace and assisting the public. One platoon every three hours, starting from 0600 hours and ending at 2100 hours. Your captain will explain it to you after this. Company III will engage in further training in strategy and communications. Report at the Royalist Headquarters, the tea room, tomorrow at 0900 hours. Finally, Company IV will engage in physical labour, to strenghten your bodies and develop your endurance. Filling potholes, repairing roads, fences and civic infrastructure, picking up rubbish and cleaning the streets will be your allocated tasks for tomorrow. Report to the Royalist Headquarters tomorrow at 0900 hours as well. That will be all. Good day; you are dismissed.”
