Lexi P.O.V

There was almost no back and forth at all from the other side once we proposed our ceasefire. This was highly suspect, considering their situation letting us regroup and rest would be devastating for them. In the last two weeks we pushed our numbers advantage so much the proportional advantage quadrupled in size. To let us rest and do it all over again will bring an end to this skirmish in two months at the most.

More than this, it seems like I am not the only person to realize this. The viscount didn’t look pleased with the decision agreed to by his fellow barons and all of the commanders were downright shocked the deal went through.

Annabeth and our own two barons didn’t seem to notice the oddity. Instead they seemed pleased at the way it all worked out in their favor. Rex was the only person that managed to maintain their composure throughout the entire negotiation. He took his exclusion from the conflict very seriously and didn’t change his facial expression throughout the hour we spent out here.

From what Annabeth told me of him, Rex was someone her father picked up as a ward over two hundred years ago, maybe as much as four, to make up for his lack of children. Because of the laws that surround inheritance of a noble house he was never a threat to any of her cousins or nephews so they just ignored him. In that time he worked hard training, so much so that he was now one of their strongest people, reaching past level one hundred and fourty. This was why he was considered enough by himself to protect her.

“This ended rather well.” Annabeth says.

“I think they gave up too easily,” I answer. “ Something strange is going on here, I just can’t tell what it is.”

“What makes you say that?” she asks.

“The viscount wasn’t pleased with the deal, he got outvoted. Not only that but the commanders on their side didn’t seem confused at all, only upset at something. They probably know what is going on and disagree with how something played out this time.” I say.

“How did you get all that? Are you sure you don’t have some kind of skill for it?” she says in mock outrage.

This lack of social skills is what made me and Annabeth stick to one another so tightly back when we first met almost nine years ago. Both of us are more than just slightly talented when it comes to magic, but from there we are opposites and we stuck together like magnets.

Growing up basically in the backyard of the best magic academy in the kingdom, with the headmaster as my father, meant that I was always the center of attention wherever I went. Everybody wanted to be my friend because of what that could mean for their future. This combined with my introverted personality led to me picking up on how to read a person very well. By the time I was eight I had almost given up on making true friends, everyone my age was either looking for a way into the academy or they had a relative who needed help from my grandfather.

Annabeth was my complete opposite. From birth she was considered a miracle by her father and a disaster by her cousins and nephews. A few early assassinations attempts led to her being very isolated for most of her childhood. This lack of social interaction left her to focus on training and studying. Besides magic Annabeth was a genius of strategy, mostly mercantile but it swapped over decently well to the military as well.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

This lack of social skills combined with her strategic mind led to the overworked situation of our soldiers. She could take into account the fatigue of our troops as it related to their fighting prowess, just not their morale.

“I agree. It seems odd that they would do this but we should just take precautions and let our men get some rest.” A gruff voice spoke up from behind.

I turn around to look at Commander Grievous. By far the most experienced commander when it comes to combat and the strongest as well, his attitude towards nobles outside of battles where they are his superiors however is why he is always sent as the commander from Lessis when his baron wages a skirmish.

“I know, it’s just something doesn't add up. From what Beth has said before, it almost seems like they have changed their strategy over the last three weeks. From her take on their tactics and the way their leaders are acting it’s as if this isn’t an exercise to practice for war anymore.” I say what has been bothering me for a while.

“How so?” he frowns.

“Their tactics are getting riskier and riskier, all but shouting that they don’t care if they lose so long as they have a chance to win the whole thing. This isn’t what these skirmishes are for, in fact using tactics like that is not just frowned upon but taxed harshly because it can instill bad habits into our armies for when a real war occurs.” I explain.

I hear a mumble and look past the commander and see his liaison deep in thought. Unlike the rest of us though he doesn’t seem at all confused. He is nodding to himself like he put it all together and it somehow makes sense.

“Best not to focus too much on this, just keep a strong lookout for any surprises.” the commander interrupts my train of thought. “Tom, go give the good news to our unit. They’re finally getting a few days off.”

Tom quickly broke out of his thoughts and saluted before he made a beeline for the left flank. I don’t know why but I think he has a piece of information he isn’t sharing. This is odd since of all the liaisons he seems to be the most dedicated to his commander. This added on top of everything else strange that surrounds him makes me wish I had insisted on taking one guard with me as well. At least then I could have sent someone to investigate discreetly without compromising our security.

Ajax P.O.V

The news of a ceasefire in exchange for giving up the hill was a pleasant and unexpected surprise for all of us. We were hoping for a ceasefire but all in exchange for the hill position was too good to be true.

I thought over why they would be willing to do this, what could go wrong if they chose to fight this? The spring! That was it, I had only been going to the pond and river ever since my third trip so I didn’t realize just how close to the spring we were. They are scared that a scout might stumble upon the spring if we fight here.

The march back was odd. Weeks of constant marching and fighting had taken almost everything out of us but the news of days off seemed to boost our morale like nothing else. This resulted in a tired fast march all the way back to camp.

Sadly we were still quite a ways off the camp, not only that but with the ceasefire in effect we decided not to stop at the makeshift camp we had the night before but go all the way back to the permanent one so the sun was already setting by the time we arrived. I didn’t realize just how long this road was until I had to make the trip tired, without mana and at the pace of the conscripts.

Dinner was a less jolly affair. Despite the good mood inspired by the upcoming days, dinner reminded us of what we had just gone through. With the constant fighting us hunters hadn’t had a chance to properly hunt in over a week. This meant that we were out of fresh meat and on a rations only diet.

The tasteless dry food was a chore to eat but we were all too hungry not to eat. This resulted in a little petition starting up. Of course it was Spencer that was leading the charge with his great idea of having the hunter not have a day off tomorrow so that they could go hunt for meat.

Luckily the commander shut that down before it had time to really pick up any steam. He did pull us all aside afterwards and asked us nicely if we could go hunting, on our own or as a group, a little earlier than after the three days off everyone was promised. In the end we agreed that meat would be back on the menu in some capacity the day after tomorrow but all of us wanted tomorrow to rest.

That night I slept in as long as even the laziest of the guards from the unit, yet when I woke up I saw something new.

STATUS EFFECT : Fatigued

Due to repeated extensive use of stamina all physical stats are reduced by 20%. Stamina regeneration reduced by 20%. Stamina consumption increased by 20%.

Resting while at full stamina for an extended period of time will remove this Effect.