Soldiers Three

In London, 1918, General Brunswick captivates junior officers by recounting how he won his brigade command. He emphasizes that the victory came not from gallantry under fire but from circumstances that warranted a court martial. The tale sets up the backstory that will unfold in the rest of the narrative.

As the long-time colonel of the 1st Battalion Rutlandshire Regiment, Brunswick leads with his aide Capt. Pindenny and three capable but unruly privates—Ackroyd, Malloy, and Sykes. For eighteen years they are known as the Queen's hard bargain, slipping away to drink, fight, and gamble whenever possible. The dynamic establishes the loyalty and friction among the men that will drive later events.

Against the wishes of the others, Ackroyd is promoted to sergeant to break the bond among the privates. The promotion reshapes the unit's dynamics, creating tension that foreshadows later conflict. The moment marks Ackroyd as the one who will carry a different responsibility than the others.

The battalion is sent from Hyderalipore to present a show of force at Mirzabad, but they are recalled and placed under rival Colonel Groat of the 28th Hussars and Major Mercer. The command shuffle introduces rivalries that complicate the unit's cohesion. The mission's reversal sets the stage for the later confrontation.

A rift develops between Ackroyd and his friends following Ackroyd's promotion to sergeant, though it is mended when Ackroyd saves Sykes' life. The act of bravery reconfirms loyalty, but the earlier friction persists as power dynamics shift. The trio's relationships become a tinderbox for future decisions.

Sykes and Malloy become part of a small force under Major Mercer and Captain Pindenny tasked with an ambush at an abandoned fort at Imara to lure the insurgents of Manik Rao. The operation tests their courage and loyalty under a higher-level strategy. The arrangement foreshadows the sacrifice of the men at Imara.

Ackroyd is left behind at the Imara plan and is apparently branded a deserter. This decision strains the unit and raises questions about whether he turned against the regiment. The rumor echoes through the ranks and adds to the tension of the eventual confrontation.

Groat splits his command, and Brunswick defies Groat's order to return and instead pursues a path toward Imara. The decision reveals a willingness to take risks for strategic advantage. It foreshadows the climactic confrontation at Imara.

At Imara, Manik Rao's forces attack the fort, which falls under siege and the remaining British soldiers take refuge in a powder house. The insurgents threaten to blow them up if they do not surrender. The situation is dire, forcing the defenders to hold out against overwhelming odds.

Ackroyd enters the fort in disguise, slays Manik Rao, and saves the lives of the trapped British troops. His action reverses the outcome of the siege and defies expectations of his earlier desertion. The moment becomes the centerpiece of the marshal's defense and the broader moral of the tale.

Brunswick believes he will be court-martialed, but Groat's provocation reveals that he goaded Brunswick into acting to avoid an official war. This manipulation explains the earlier decisions and vindicates Brunswick's risks. The revelation leads to his promotion rather than punishment.

The outcome cements the fate of the main players: Ackroyd is demoted back to private as punishment for desertion, while Brunswick is promoted for his decisive action in the field. The pair's fates reflect the quirks and contradictions of military justice and leadership. The units resume duty with a changed command structure.