The First Wall

In a distant time and a distant place there lived a king who had no army.  And, having heard of the approach of an enemy, he decided that the time had come to form a fighting force to defend his kingdom.

He called before him his closest advisors and said, “Send emissaries to the north, east, south, and west of my kingdom.  Tell my people there to choose someone worthy of leading and to send that person to the castle in four days time to be commissioned.”

So emissaries rode forth from the castle to deliver this message.

And four days passed.

From the north, a land of iron and bronze, came a tall man, of broad shoulders, and handsome good looks.  He was the type of man whose strides caused others to run a few steps from time to time to catch up.  He clothing was well tailored, his armour gleamed in the sun, and his horse was strong and fitted for battle.

From the south, a land of intellect and wisdom, came a great scholar.  He was a man whose mind was quick, and who had experienced much in life.  He came carried on a litter, with a porter at each corner, and many scribes in tow.

From the west, a land of crops and pastures, came a farmer.  She was a small woman whose primary concerns were sunshine, rainfall, and the state of her crops.  Her hands and face were weathered from days in the sun.  She came alone leading a small donkey loaded with her supplies.

But from the east came no representative, nor did the original emissary return, for the enemy had already gained a foothold there.

The king held court, and called before him the three selected leaders.

The king said to them, “Word has arrived that an enemy is approaching, and it seems they are already active to the east.  You have been chosen to help raise an army.  Take whatever resources you need from me and return to your lands.  Gather there each of you 1000 of the best fighting men and women.  Return here with them in a few days and set up camp to begin training for war.  You have 100 days to prepare.”

So the leader of the north went north, south went south, and west went west.

And four days passed.

Dust appeared on the horizon as the new army approached from each direction, and soon camps sprung up to the north, south, and west of the city.

Training for the great battle had begun.

One month later the king once again called before him his closest advisors and said, “Go to the city walls to observe from afar one day of activity of each camp.   Return to me tomorrow with your reports.“

The next day the advisor from the north wall stated, “I saw throughout the day practice with sword and shield, and preparations being made for combat.  Also, in the late afternoon I heard the sound of metals being worked.  It is my report that the camp to the north is training diligently and forging weapons, and is prepared for coming fight.”

The king nodded, and looked to the next advisor.

The advisor from the south wall stated, “During the day I saw troops marching in orderly formations and great war machines being tested.  Also, during the late afternoon I could hear the rustle of paper and the conversations of educated people.  It is my report that the camp to the south is studying the ways of war and developing battle plans and is prepared for the coming fight.”

Once again the king nodded, and looked to the next advisor.

The advisor from the west wall stated, “What I have seen has discouraged me, for during the day all the camp sleeps, and during the night can be heard the sounds of singing and drunken laughter.  To make matters worse, I even observed deserters leaving for home each evening under the cover of darkness.  I am afraid the camp the west is not ready my lord.”

Upon hearing these reports both good and bad, the king decided he should visit each camp himself, to determine firsthand the state of his newly formed army.  So after some days he set forth, with his advisors and entourage in tow.

Upon arriving at the camp to the north he summoned their leader and said, “How go the preparations?”

The leader from the north replied, “Each day we practice the ways of war, but in the late afternoon we gather about our forges, and using iron and bronze we make masks that as closely as possible resemble your face.  On the day of battle the foe will see a multitude of faces that all reflect your glory and power, and they will run away in fear.  In addition each evening, as we eat together, one of our midst goes before us and donning their mask does their best impersonation of the king.  If the performance is well done, we cheer, if not they are put out of the camp gates as unworthy to be in your great army.”

“And how many of your 1000 remain,” asked the king.

“We are fully 922 strong my lord.  The weak among us have been removed,” replied the leader of the north.

“And if the day of battle was today, would you be ready?”

The leader’s face went white and he replied, “There are many among us who are not finished their masks!  Even now we wait for a shipment of ore to complete this important work.  We are not ready my lord, the battle cannot be today!”

The king, though disappointed, did not want to publicly pronounce judgement, and so hoping the next camp would demonstrate better results, he invited the leader of the north to accompany him there.

Upon arriving at the camp to the south the king summoned their leader and said, “How go the preparations?”

The leader from the south replied, “Each day we practice the art of sword and shield, but in the late afternoon we turn our energy to study.  We have taken all that you, my king, have written about war have divided it into 100 equal readings.  Each day we study one part.  In addition, each evening as we eat together, one of our midst goes before us and we test them on the studies of the day.  Those found wanting, who have not memorized the reading of the day are put outside of our gates, as they are unworthy to be in your great army.”

“And how many of your 1000 remain,” asked the king.

“We are fully 943 strong my lord.  The ignorant among us have been removed,” replied the southern leader.

And if the day of battle was today, would you be ready?

The face of the leader of the south twitched slightly and he replied, “We are only on day 38 of the readings my lord.  We have not fully read the 100 pages!  We are not ready, the battle cannot be today!”

Again disappointed, the king invited the leader of the south to accompany him to the next camp.

Upon arriving at the camp to the west the king summoned their leader and said, “How go the preparations?”

“Excellent my lord,” the leader from the west replied.

The kings asked, “I have heard reports that the men and women of this camp sleep all day, and that the evenings at this camp are filled with revelry.  I have also heard that many have deserted in the night.  How do you respond to these charges?”

The leader from the west replied, “It is all true in its own regard my lord, but allow me to explain.  We do sleep all day, but we rise each evening and start our day together with food.  At that meal one of our midst goes before us and raises one of their sandals in the air.  They then tell the story of their sandal, the story of where they have walked in this life.  We hear their words, and we make their life our own, and we embrace them as brother and sister.”

The leader paused, and then she continued, “In addition, after this meal we split into four groups.  The first group returns home under the cover of darkness and gathers food, and then returns and stockpiles it in the city to prepare in case we are put under siege.  One group travels to the northern camp and another group to the south and there they wait outside the camp gates.  If anyone is put out from those camps they are welcomed with open arms and brought back to our camp, and the evening is spent rejoicing with those who have joined us.”

The leader paused, and then she looked into the king’s eyes and said, “The fourth group, the largest group, marches each evening to the east of the city, and under torchlight, starlight and moonlight we practice the ways of war.  We put ourselves each night as the first wall of defence between the city and the approaching storm.”

“And how many of your 1000 remain,” asked the king.

“We are today 1135 strong my lord, “ she replied.

“And if the battle was today, would you be ready,” asked the king.

And 1135 voices shouted in unison, “We are ready!”