In stark contrast to Bloodfall Base's resounding victory, Marcus Monroe's situation was far more difficult.
The first problem arose from the one thousand Southern Army soldiers placed under his command.
Though they had heard of his reputation, these men had originally belonged to the Second Division, under the command of Henry Chase. After Henry Chase's sudden and mysterious death, they were transferred to Keith Preston's command. This alone was enough to fill many of them with doubt and resentment.
Henry Chase, for all his ambition, had treated his subordinates quite well.
He never skimped on their pay and was fiercely protective of them when trouble arose.
So while the soldiers hadn't been wholeheartedly devoted to him, they did possess a fair amount of loyalty.
When Henry Chase died a violent death, they were absorbed into the First Division, like children who had lost their mother.
