"Yes Sah, it's an accent Sah!" Was the reply of the Dragoon to his commanding officer before being dismissed. From then on he'd proceed with training as before but much more "lousily" if one were to put a fine finger on it. There was one thing John didn't understand however. When did he punish anyone? He had only done what was needed to get everyone fit for war as far as he saw it. Theotok knew his last commanding officer did worse. Old Commander Anios with his mustache a foot across yes.... Ioannis wasn't going to reminisce on the good old days because they were not good and poorly remembered, but nevertheless he thought it was important for him to remember.
[hr]

War was declared. This was no surprise in hindsight, things were brewing quite fast and it was silly for Ioannis to think he'd get away with just being a garrison for the next... however long he'd live. On the journey to Tomis he'd be pretty reclusive, but whenever he'd see anyone he'd simply snigger a little to himself, shaking his head. However, the closer they got to the theoretical battlefield the laughter would have longer and longer 
intervals, as would his appearances. 

As they landed, the first thing he did was to once again kneel no matter what happened around him and to pray. Back from the pagan days of the Varangian guard the adoration of one's ancestors was passed down to now and while he was quite far from them, Ioannis thought now - with death looming ahead - was a good time to remember them. [i]On Viking raids, to foreign lands, went men of Northern bloods.[/i] he muttered under his breath after making standing up and acquainting himself with the situation.
From the initial reports the arrivals received it seemed Ioannis was temporarily where his veterancy would stand out. An area with much rugged land and possible insurgency to counter, or even create. Yes, this would do just right.

Standing to perfect attention he waited until receiving an assignment. It seemed they were to patrol a forest. He was going to raise the concern of going on horses through a forest being frankly rather stupid, but it was adressed. 

However, time would quickly show that there were already flaws in the current arrangement. When Ioannis had the chance in the patrol he'd turn to his officer and ride a little closer to him. After a quick salute combining the maximum formality with quickest time he could he'd ask for permission to speak and after hopefully being granted it, would go on. After swallowing he'd start to speak rather quickly but not fumble any words in the haste for working under pressure was now something he was used to. "Sir I'll make it quick. Our current arrangement is contrary to what experience I many other veterans have from the Mamluk insurgency." Of course they weren't going to speak up about it. Perhaps laziness, or fear, or thinking it was futile they didn't approach the officers despite Ioannis hearing grumbling from them akin to that of his own. "We shouldn't just have patrols. We should emphasize our versatility, act like light infantry. Some men should take some extra carbines and pistols - two or even three of each per man - and have bayonets affixed and swords drawn when we arrive in the forest to stay for a while. If enemies come in between our patrols they will be able to set up an ambush and take out the patrols one by one. If we set up a few semi-permanent check-points we shall be able to make sure this doesnt happen; one or two along the roads and one or two hidden in the woodland. They'll complement the patrols and be able to get first blood upon the enemy, while also being able to flee shortly after to report back." Motionless and looking a centimetre above his officer's nose bridge he'd await a reply.