Bromlin frowned at the priest's question. Or rather, at the man's question, as he was being asked to consider Mercuxio. It was a fair question, perhaps, but what bothered Bromlin was that it was, without a doubt, a leading question. He regarded Mercuxio for a long while before stating any answer.
"You speak very frankly, father. Or," he stopped, "perhaps I should call you Merric for the moment, if you like. I admire frank speech." He paused again, considering, then continued, "You are not wholly correct, though. I do not view your position here as at all unnecessary. The cold and the gloom of this place has an effect on everyone here, the soldiers and the mages. If your ministries bring comfort or solace, then that is far from unnecessary. In fact, a soothing element is very much needed here. No one, I can assure you, wants to be here. That, of course, makes the orderly running of this camp a delicate matter and it doesn't help a delicate situation to be pulled in different directions. So yes, I think it is important for the well-being of the camp and of everyone in it that authority is fairly unilateral. It might not be the approach I would take to every situation, but I think here it is necessary. You, of course, as a representative of the Church, are included in that authority."
Bromlin let that answer hang in there air and leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of whatever hot drink passed as a morning beverage up here; little more than dried wild herbs and water. "If you want me to say that I strive for a wholly harmonious relationship between the guards and the mages, based on compassion and pity and good-will, I'm afraid I will disappoint you. Wouldn't it be nice if it were the case, but you'll have to forgive me for being a realist. The 'soldiers' here are poorly trained boys with a rather one-dimensional view of protecting their country. In a time of war, of course, the best soldiers, those disciplined and ready for battle, are not sent to watch over the enemy. And there is no time anymore to provide adequate training to every recruit. Don't think I'm any happier about this than you are; I suspect I am much less. What we have here is a camp full of boys who want to be anywhere other than here; they at least want leave, decent food, the company of a woman. And here they have none. They hated the mages before they came, and you can well believe they hate them much more now. They sleep at night by letting themselves believe the people they guard here are beasts. Much like Major Neil, though I would have hoped for better from someone of her position. I don't think most of them have the fortitude to think clearly about what is really going on here. And yes," Bromlin nodded his head, "to keep this place functional, I let them think that."