Reporting as Ordered

(Tuesday 30th May 1809)

Vickery was still not clear why General Wellesley had taken such an interest in one of his Riflemen - and a new Rifleman, at that. The Rifleman himself hadn't sounded as though he was too clear about it either, which didn't help. It also did nothing to ease Vickery's feeling of trepidation as he approached the General.

Thankfully Cotton had shown up before he'd left the 60th's bivouac and had been able to straighten his uniform and make sure that he was presentable, even though the jacket was worn and the silver lace was growing tarnished, something that was only to be expected on campaign.

He was not surprised to be intercepted by an aide before he could get to the General.

"Captain Vickery, 3 Company, 60th Rifles, reporting to General Wellesley as ordered," he said, still wondering why in the world he was wanted.

Sir Arthur, who was conversing with Colonel Fletcher, was informed by Captain Sanders that Vickery was reporting.

"I will see him now. Bring him over, Sanders."

The redcoated Captain brought Vickery across to the General before stepping back.

Vickery saluted. "Sir, I understand you wished to see me about one of my men. There hasn't been a problem, I hope, sir?"

It took a moment for Wellesley to recall exactly the face of the man in question, his mind having been on other matters entirely.

"Indeed. I was hoping however, captain, that you would be able to give me some reassurance that he had not been causing trouble."

"Certainly he has not, sir."

He may have caused some trouble earlier, but that had been dealt with, and from all Vickery knew of this incident, Pye was not the cause of it but the victim.

He hoped the General was not implying that he could not control his own men. The cold blue eyes watching him were inscrutable, however.

Wellesley studied Vickery for a moment, his blue eyes sharp and scrutinizing.

"Was 'trouble' of any sort involved in the way he acquired his rather spectacular bruises?" he asked mildly.

It felt as if his merits were being judged. Mene, mene, tekel parsin... Numbered, numbered, weighed, divided... Not a comfortable feeling at all, but then, it wasn't supposed to be comfortable, was it?

"Not from my man himself. I gathered that it was all directed at him, although I was told no names, sir."

Pye did seem to have a knack for finding trouble and Vickery wondered if his injuries might have something to do with a certain group of men who had been provosts until quite recently. He would have to do some digging to ascertain that; it was doubtful Pye would come out and say it if asked directly.

"I see," Wellesley replied. Seeing as this was a matter of regimental discipline Colonel Fletcher had retired several paces out of earshot to converse with a youthful captain of dragoons. "Pye himself seemed determined to inform that he had obtained his injuries from a fall, though only the blind would believe that. I do not appreciate being lied to, Captain Vickery, especially when it comes to the men's discipline and their fitness for duty. You have made enquiries, I take it?"

Ah. That was going to make things a little more tricky. The question was, how to put this in a way that wasn't going to make Sir Arthur think he was incapable of keeping discipline in his Company.

"Some of my men have fallen afoul of some soldiers of another regiment, for reasons I am not completely clear about. I had thought the matter dealt with, sir."

And what, precisely, had Pye said to the General? He was nervous enough where officers were concerned that he might have said almost anything, if it meant he could get away from the General as quickly as possible.

Wellesley's face remained impassive.

"Then I assume, however, that you have discovered that the matter is not 'dealt' with in relation to Pye?"

Hang it all. He did not appreciate being put in this position by one of his men, at all. Though quite why the General had involved himself in a relatively minor dispute was anybody's guess.

"I do seem to have been mistaken on that count, sir, and you may rest assured that I will rectify that at the first opportunity."

"See that you do, captain. I do not intend to tolerate fighting amongst my own men; not the rank and file, nor amongst my officers. I need every man possible fit for duty, and if that means making an example of those that do not adhere to discipline then so be it."

The general's eyes were glacial.

"I hope that shall not be the case with your company, Vickery."

It wasn't as though Pye had been the one to go looking for trouble. Well, unless Vickery had seriously misjudged the lad's character, he hadn't, anyway.

And if the culprit was who Vickery thought it was, he had already done his best to have the man and his friends punished for harming one of his men. It seemed as though the ex-provosts, if that was who was responsible, hadn't learned from their previous experience, however.

It wasn't as though he could say all that to the General. Especially when Sir Arthur's eyes were as wintry as that.

And was it a straight fight? Vickery wasn't convinced that it was. Again, not something he could tell the General.

"Yes, sir. You may rest assured that I expect the highest discipline of my men, sir, and this... aberration will be dealt with."