Three sweat-drenched men wearing nothing by their shirts and underwear huddled together around a tree stump most suspiciously while the camp was getting set for a few night's stay in the background. Tents were being set, fire-pits and latrines dug and built, sentry guards with rotten luck posted around the perimeter. There was a rumor running around the camp about some Kest around the castle, which made most of the men giddy for a proper engagement, while the rest - the greenhorns - sick to their stomachs. Jeremiah didn't revel in the art of killing but some deeds had to be done, even if they were the act of taking a life.
Jeremiah approached the three men who didn't notice him until it was too late. The three's armor was scattered around the tree-trump in neat piles as if they were just prepared to be picked up by initiates at their third week of training. There was some commotion around the crew and Jeremiah could see why - his sergeant was losing his hand to their own newcomer, and the copper pellets, silver locket and nasty looking long knife on the trunk showed the high-stakes of the game.
"Hah, Royal Flush", the newcomer, Gipper, cried out with joy, "I win". He closed his arms around his winnings and pushed them towards his lap when Jeremiah coughed gently so his men could be alerted to his presence.
"That's the first time I've seen you lose, Sergeant", Jeremiah addressed Fenrin, his second-in-command. The once shoe-maker, turned deadly killing machine, frowned even as Jeremiah came into view. He knew what came next.
"I know, right?", the third man laughed - Cork, the man who usually organized such events, of which was the smallest he could muster. He was smaller than the others, but his wits compensated for his stature and filled his pockets.
"I know that there's no gambling allowed in camp-", he frowned at Cork and then continued, "-and that each man will take back what was his". Fenrin wasn't visibly glad he received his knife and locket back, which was a strange sight for Gipper. "I know that the camp is getting set while you three are lounging naked and playing games, which is why the winner of the game will stay guard over our equipment the whole time we're here...and I'll see the rest will see some sentry-duty soon enough. Get off your asses and pitch our tent before I think of an educational punishment". The three suddenly realized that the word "educational" actually meant giving away their money to charity, which was one of Jeremiah's most favorite forms of disciplining his men and rose up as one. They then quickly went to raise their tent, Fenrin wearing a pair of pants and walking off to speak with the quartermaster.