The Ballad of Bradicles

Eeyoricles intercepted the servant and with a curt dismissal, took the tray of food. He then backed his way into Bradicles tent.

Without looking up from the map he had spread in front him, Bradicles gave a dismissive wave. Eeyoricles set the food down then leaned back against a tent pole. He considered his older brother. Still as beautiful as ever, he had a new determined look on his face he’d not seen before.

Finally noticing that someone was still in his tent, Bradicles rounded on the stranger about to thrash them when his anger turned to joy.

“Brother! You’re back!” He rushed forward and clasped Eeyoricles in an impossibly strong embrace. After a moment’s hesitation, Eeyoricles returned the gesture.

Bradicles stepped back and eyed his brother up and down. “You are healed?”

“Aye, and well exercised, I’ve been parading the new men while in full panoply to help strengthen my limbs”.

Bradicles raised an impossibly beautiful eyebrow. “Indeed? What inspired this?”

Eeyoricles shrugged and absentmindedly plucked some bread from the tray he’d brought. “Necessity. That and boredom. I needed the exercise after being on my backside because of that damned horse. And I would know how you intend to use these new men and it seemed prudent to learn of them and in turn be seen by them. “

Bradicles just beamed. As dour as Eeyoricles was, he was immensely proud of his younger brother. Always refining his art and setting an example for the men, he was improving as a commander.

“Where is Mediocrates?” Eeyoricles asked as he approached the map his brother had been studying.

“I’ve sent him on a recruiting trip. He’ll be back soon. Come, let me show you what I have planned”. And with that, they huddled over the map and discussed the possibilities these new men presented.