Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

Chapter 693 2: Losa's Queshue Cavalry

Semanud City, Cavalry Academy (Sipahi Cavalry Camp)

"What is the lord gathering us for?"

Gathered in the square were Copts, Saracens, Germans, Gauls, and Albions, truly a mixed bunch, with many unable to understand each other's languages.

Among them, some were from the same regiment under Losa's command and began chatting during this waiting time.

"I don't know, could it be that they'll form us into an army?"

An outgoing veteran from the Black Eagle Banner Team casually asked, "Brother, where are you from?"

"Oh — turns out you are under Baron Charlie's command. Flanders is such a wealthy place, what? You're also Baron Charlie's Banner Holder, my respects, if we met outside, I'd have to call you 'sir.'"

Under Baron Charlie's command, besides Knights, Soldiers also come from the affluent citizen class of Flanders. This "sir" is mostly said in a teasing manner.

"You're joking, it's just... God above, if the Duke plans to form us into a single army, we'll have to work with those Saracens, isn't that terrifying."

"Don't say that, those Saracens are also baptized Christian brothers, just like us."

Baron Charlie's Banner Holder frowned and said, "But we can't even communicate with each other, I don't think forming us together is a good idea, surely the Duke is wise enough to see this."

The veteran beside him said nonchalantly, "The Duke has his plans, we just need to obey."

They stood in the middle of the camp's square, whispering while huddling together, occasionally glancing around this so-called "Cavalry Academy," which looked more like a fortress within the city.

Tall stone walls surrounded, shadows flickering inside every stone tower, with some arrow slits showing massive crossbow arrows peeking out, obviously equipped with siege weapons.

Some knowledgeable soldiers thought to themselves, as long as food supplies were sufficient, this fortress could be held by three to five hundred soldiers until the end of their days.

"I heard that today the Duke ordered a muster of warhorses and draft horses across the territory, and gathered us here at the 'Cavalry Academy.' Perhaps they intend to promote us to cavalry."

"You must be joking, can you even ride a horse?"

Originally hopeful, the group's spirits deflated upon hearing that.

In agrarian societies, few excel in riding skills, many cavalry of the Ayyubid Dynasty are hired Turkic people from Asia Minor, Nubians from the nomadic south, or Kumans across the Black Sea.

Only the elite Mamluks are trained in various schools from a young age, isolated for intensive cultivation and training.

But such training costs are far greater than hiring Nomadic Cavalry.

Saladin's Kasaji Guard excels in mounted archery far beyond the Crusader Cavalry and can compete with the elite Crusader Cavalry in close combat, but the costs of training are too high. Without Saladin's control over Egypt, Syria, and a monopoly over most Red Sea trade, it's impossible to sustain.

"If the lord needed cavalry, with a single command, countless impoverished Knights without horses would gladly serve him, why bother with us?"

"Come off it, any poor Knight without a master by now is either a swindler or an incompetent fool, kicked out as a drunkard, the Duke would never want such people."

A Coptic recruit said, "I think it must be good news, I've always ranked in the top three in the Longsword Regiment's training. Back then, Gallio, who ranked first in our regiment, was promoted to the newly formed Sipahi Cavalry Regiment."

These words immediately resonated: "I also rank among the top in Black Eagle Banner Team's training!"

"Me too!"

Though languages vary, some knew a little.

For example, some Copts under Losa knew Arabic, many Saracens knew Gaulish, and Gauls knew some Germanic Language, passing words back and forth.

Soon, hearing that everyone was the best of the best, the group felt at ease.

A senior Black Eagle Banner Team officer smiled silently at this; having fought several fierce battles, those who survived either became officers or were promoted into various major regiments.

Many of his past colleagues joined the ranks of Winged Cavalry, Woodland Archers, Armored Cavalry, Iron Pagoda, and Duke's Guard, all renowned, well-treated special regiments.

"The Duke promotes people without regard to their horse-riding skills."

Seeing everyone looking over, he said somewhat mysteriously, "If the Duke appoints you as cavalry, you will naturally master riding skills, know Chief Winged Cavalry Ulm?"

He had already received a "Recruit" transfer quota, and he was present during last night's trial. Though unluckily shot dead by an enemy cavalry archer, he considered himself recognized as a trusted aide of the Duke.

Many nodded.

Ulm is now the sheriff of Semanud City, overseeing hundreds of patrol officers and commanding a thirty-man cavalry squad, a high-ranking figure they often interacted with.

"Sir Ulm started as a shepherd in Jorgelisburg, knew some riding skills but was clueless in combat techniques, yet the Duke saw something in him, and now he's a prominent figure in Semanud."