- Patrick Gordon, Scottish, Military Elite of the Siamese Armies
There once had been a time that the highlands of Scottland been my home, though in all fact is always shall be, but time has given way and I've found solace far away in this distant land of Siam.
Many battles I have fought in my military careers. I claim the plural because before I even turned an eye towards Siam and the lucrative Thai people my employment had been with the British, serving as a naval officer in India. That career however provided few results and soon my career ended, true it be that a number of battles had made their way onto my resume but nothing of particular interest or recognition. Ultimately I would judge, my career ended rather uneventfully.
But before I could return to my residence in Edinburgh I found myself reeled into a partnership with my dear friend John George Farladay who had worked up a prosperous buisness across the border in Siam. Mesmerized by promise of riches and oppurtunity I took up Farladay's offer to join him and we set off to begin a new life in Siam.
But luck would have it that Johnst his soul, passed away not to long afterwards. The buisness fell apart, I myself having no love for the buisness of merchants and traders, and I soon found myself stranded in the exotic land.
With my desolation came the ambition to escape this land, but money had fallen short and I had enteed poor times.
It was at this point that the latter part of my military career began. Siam at the time had entered into war with an even more mysterious land to the nor the Laotians. My enlistment into Siamese forces were ensured when they discovered that I in fact owned my own gun. First impressions told me that this trek would be long and bloody.
Yet, fate had it that my underestimation of the Siamese had been quite a way off. Quick victiories were won and it was not long before I joined the forces occupying the Laotian Capital. By this point I had gained the respect of my comrades and they mine.
The war didn't last much longer. I left for Bangkok and was preparing to board a ship homeward when I was stopped by military personel. I had done nothing wrong, rather though I had done everything right. The Siamese had been impressed with my work during the war, though I wasn't high in the ranks many noted that I had a flare for strategy and I my work towards a goal never fell short. They asked me to join the Siamese ranks once again, but this time, with a mixture of quiet awe and the possible chance to get to understand the way of European war, they wished me to lead forces.
Again I took this gamble, but much diffrent then that of Farladay's, this one I could handle. The Siamese were embarking on a new campaign, turning their guns southward I soon found myself in the centere of the Malay States, not far from British territory and commanding a sizable Siamese force. Though I cannot speak of myself pridefully, for the enemy was illfully backwards even compared to the Siamese, apperantly many were impressed with my quick victories and the use of cavalry forces.
This war, too, ended soon, many of the state's annexed and now part of Siam. But this time rather then rushing off to leave I decided to remain for some time. This far off corner of the map had triggered a sort of awe in me and now I wondered what was in store.
But I also had another reason for staying. During the campaign I had become engaged, a beautiful Thai woman. We married not to long after the campaigns en and our love is strong. Perhaps it is her rubbing off on me but I have grown a connection with this land I now call home.
I now find myself here, once again with forces under my command. I stand now, overlooking this stretch of land, my men camped out below. I scan the horizon, the sun is falling fast, in the distance the sound of work can be heard. Even through this fading light shapes can be made out, hundred, maybe thousands of workeres in the distance laboring away.
I pull my hat down over my eyes and let out a sigh. Reaching into my pocket I remove a small brass lighter, in my other hand I hold a cigar. Perching it in my mouth and lighting it, the dim glow illuminating the area around, I continue to look into the distance.
Ambitious indeed, these Thai people, not a moment since I've arrived has the Government shown anything less then ingenuity and a persitance to grow. Not just territorally but industrially. Working so hard to build themselves up, and so far the structure with which they have lifted stds firm.
Rumor is that there is possibility of a promotion in my future. I didn't think twice of this, if I am to climb higher then so I shall, but for now all I have to do is look out over the encampment, to the horizon and to the following sun. The light in my eyes and a gently smoke hanging in the air.
Tranquility.
***First Story In awhile, hope it doesn't get to far off from its expalination in my orders... Also, I picked a European because, well, I don't know Siamese
***
