Michael

Geron slammed down his hand on the table to get the attention of everyone. There were a good three dozen people present in the council chamber, nobles, veteran knights, high-ranking guardsmen, leaders of adventuring parties, and more.

All were gathered around the large table in the center of the room on which a large map of the Ereic Mountains was laid out. Michael watched from the sideline as every head turned to the young knight commander.

“I welcome you all to this strategy council. We have spent the last weeks preparing everything for this operation because it will determine not only the economic future of Reen but also its security,” he said with a tone that showed the urgency of his words.

“The Ereic Mountains may hold riches beyond comprehension, but they also hold a significantly higher mana concentration than the lower lands. We don’t know why this is and it doesn’t matter for us. Without any large settlements close by, it is a breeding ground for monsters and other enemies. This problem will only increase the longer we wait to clear it out, if we leave it be then we will have to deal with more than a couple of dire wolf packs in the future.”

Most of the present men were experienced warriors between the adventurers and professional soldiers of the house but Michael could see the uneasiness in the faces of some of the merchants and nobles who had a less warrior-like personality.

“The mountains can be split up into three distinct regions,” he began pointing at the map with a wooden stick. “The lowest region is the mixed forest at the foot of the mountains. The mana levels there are similar to the rest of Reen, but it is filled with caves and similar holes. We can expect goblins that populate the region in tribes here. They are reproducing at an alarming rate and will be numerous. The monsters in this region will be low-level, zero to one skull with some two skull hunting parties.”

He pointed at the next higher level. “This is the middle region. It is mostly covered by needle forest and is home to tribes of ogres, they are strong but not overly bright but a direct confrontation with them could prove costly. Dire wolf packs call the second region their home and have pushed most of the other monsters out, but we can also expect strong two skulls or even some three skulls there. Both the dire wolves and the ogres hunt the goblins for food, which is probably the only reason that we don’t have too many problems with them in our lands.”

Michael looked at the map as Geron put a wolf and an ogre wooded miniature into the second region like he had done with a goblin marker in the first.

“Finally, is the upper region. Those are the mountain tops, and we know very little about them, but they are populated by mainly harpies and wyvern, and we will stay clear of it for now, we have neither the manpower nor the equipment to fight either the harpies or the wyverns.”

Geron then turned to the leader of the adventurer’s guild Thore Xyran. “We appreciate the information that the adventurers have provided.”

The man nodded and Geron continued.

“Our campaign will be split into three parts. First, we will move into the lower region and begin with a systematic eradication of the goblins there, the adventurers and knights will accomplish this. This will deprive the middle region of its food supply and cause them to get more reckless and with time they will start fighting each other for resources.” Geron pushed the markers of the knights and adventurers in.

“The second phase will be done at the same time as the first and it will entail the fortification of the lower region. After each area is cleared by the adventurers and knights the guardsmen will start building small forts to repel the dire wolf and ogre attacks and keep them from breaking out into the countryside. We will keep this phase up until the whole of the lower region is secured and sufficient fighting between the ogres and the monsters has happened.”

He put in small wooden forts and put in the guardsmen tokens while speaking.

“In the final phase, we will push into the middle region and start eradicating what remains of the monsters and ogres and build fortifications at our new border in the mountains so that no new monsters come flocking in from the neighboring counties and beastwoods.”

Geron pushed with all markers up into the middle region and knocked over the wolves and the ogres.

The audience began to quietly discuss this plan until Thore stepped forward. The smaller man still exuded an aura of confidence and authority, and everyone fell silent. “It is a good plan. The monsters will fight the ogres if we pose enough of an obstacle. There shouldn’t be anything in the middle region that can break a well-entrenched group of trained soldiers. The knights and adventurers will have to take the brunt of the fighting, but we have determined the reward to be sufficient and support this plan.”

Multiple more voices were raised in agreement.

Michael listened intently to the reactions of the audience, he had already been briefed on the plan beforehand and had given his approval.

After everyone had given their opinions on the basic plan, Geron spoke up again, “This plan will rely on coordination and cooperation. The knights and guardsmen will serve as the disciplined trunk and the adventurers will have to act as a quick-moving reactionary force. Because of the bad visibility in the mountain forest, we will employ horn signals and messengers. A list with the signals is waiting for the leaders outside this room, make sure that your men and women know them, their lives could depend on it.”

The adventurers nodded and looked just as grim as the knights. Michael had already heard that many groups from all over the duchy had come for this mission, looking for fame and reward.

“Do we have enough men to do all this though,” Lord Ragar interjected, the young baron was looking much more confident since the attack on the castle, and he seemed to have taken a liking to staying in Reen.

Geron gave Michael a glance who nodded at him. “Since the peace treaty lessens the need to patrol the border to the wolf clan, we have already ordered the knights and a portion of the guardsmen stationed there to return to Reen for the campaign.” Geron didn’t show it, but he hadn’t agreed with this decision and predictably many of the present did not either.

“That seems careless, Sir Geron,” Lord Uger said while crossing his arms in front of his chest. “We don’t know yet if the wolves will keep their word and to leave our border so undefended while also moving most of our troops into the southern mountains will invite raiding and even an invasion.”

Many nobles, guardsmen, and knights nodded in agreement, but Geron stayed stalwart. “These are valid concerns Lord Uger, but Lord Rowan has determined that the wolf clan will not break their word anytime soon. The threat that is rising in the Ereic Mountains is of a more immediate danger to the people of Reen and Emall and we have to conduct this operation in a quick and decisive manner. If we become bogged down in fighting or must hunt and seek out monsters, goblins, or ogres in hiding then we will invite our enemies even more. If on the other hand, we clear out the mountains at a fast pace then we will appear strong and we will have our borders completely secured at an earlier time again.”

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The argument had swayed them to some extent, but they still seemed unsure about the plan, so Michael spoke up for the first time in this meeting.

“The chieftain has sworn to uphold the pact in front of their guardians, something like their gods. It would be as if we swear an oath in front of Idas. Would any of you break it merely a few weeks after making it?”

The doubters became uneasy, and Lord Uger objected, “But they are beasts, who knows how they hold it with their faith.”

“They are as true to their guardians as you are to Idas, milord. I promise you that we are safe from that side for now. I can’t speak for every wolf-kin but there won’t be an organized attack any time soon and our remaining forces at the border won’t have any problems repelling a small party that goes against their leader's and deities wishes.” Michael held the lord’s eye contact for a while until the man nodded and backed down. With him, most of the resistance fell even though they didn’t like the idea they would not challenge it further.

It was a nice sight that his people were beginning to respect him and trust his words without anything more than that.

“Will you take part in this operation, Lord Rowan,” one of the knights asked.

“Of course I will. I am not gonna send my people into a monster-infested area and then stay back where it is safe. I want to stress though that Sir Geron is in charge of this operation,” Michael answered, and his subjects nodded pleased but some of the adventurers didn’t look so convinced.

A female adventurer was the first to speak up, she was a tall woman, a little over two meters tall, and Michael guessed that she might have half-giant blood. “Of course, I have heard the stories, like anyone in this land but wouldn’t it be better if you stayed behind so that we can concentrate on our work and not have to take care of a child, …, with all due respect I mean.”

Michael’s guard in particular seemed to be quite offended but this, but Michael answered before anyone else could. “I promise to not slow you down, but this kind of experience is something I will not pass up on. Getting some combat experience and getting to test my hard light against actual enemies is worth the extra trouble.”

Michael could see the clear interest in the eyes of the audience when he mentioned his new magic.

“Very well, we will make sure that you will get this experience, right boys,” the woman said with a wide grin. Many of the other adventurers joined in with cheers and it took a while for the rambunctious adventurers to calm down.

The meeting continued with more detailed briefings of the different group compositions, supply chains, and staging areas.

With a yawn, Michael stretched his muscles while leaving the council chambers. The meeting had continued well into the afternoon, and they were just discussing rough strategy. The details of everyone’s assignments would be discussed once they had made camp at the border of the mountains.

As he walked out, flanked by Lance and Eydis, he saw that Mira was waiting for him with her knight.

“Hey Mira,” he said and went over to her. “Have you been waiting long?”

She sighed and answered, “A while.”

“Is there something you wanted?”

“I was just wondering,” she paused for an awkward moment, “Why wasn’t I invited to this meeting?"

Michael frowned, “It doesn’t really have anything to do with you. Uhm, you would have been bored out of your mind.”

“Ah okay,” she replied but didn’t seem to be happy with that answer as she turned away.

“Are you interested in military matters,” Michael asked and stepped into her line of sight with a cheeky grin.

“I …, I have read a lot about adventurers and their journeys and was interested in seeing some of them,” she tried to avoid his gaze and her face got red from embarrassment.

“Why didn’t you say so I could have introduced you to the leader of the adventurer’s guild,” Michael laughed which caused her to get even redder. Michael sensed that there was something else. “There is something else on your mind, no?”

“I would like to learn how to fight,” she finally said quietly. Michael looked at her with surprise he hadn’t expected this change of topic.

“You want to learn how to fight? Well, sure why not. I can show you a couple of things and I am sure your guard could also help you with that,” he glanced at the knight in silver armor and then added, “I am sorry I seem to have forgotten your name sir if you were ever introduced to me.”

The knight was older, in his forties, and had a harsh face with sharp features. His hair had already started to gray, and his skin was weathered by the years of campaigns.

“I have not, Lord Rowan. My name is Sir Antreos Lampert,” the knight said in a well-spoken manner, it was the first time that Michael had heard the knight's voice as far as he remembered.

“Well met, Sir Antreos. I would say that you would be a more suitable teacher for the princess than me.”

Mira looked at them both a little bit uncomfortably and the knight answered, “The queen regent Susanne Merland doesn’t want her daughter to learn swordsmanship.”

“Why,” Michael asked confused, “It is always good to know how to defend yourself.”

“She says it isn’t becoming for a lady of royal blood,” Mira replied sadly.

“What did Zen say to that?”

“Zen is busy all the time. Neither he nor Theodore have much time for me. I have been basically alone since your sisters …,” she stopped herself and looked at Michael with wide eyes. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t complain.”

Michael made a step toward her and grabbed her arm softly, “Mira, I am so sorry. I didn’t even think about how you might feel.” He scolded himself for forgetting that Mira had become good friends with his sisters over their time in the capital and that he wasn’t the only one who had lost them over a month ago.

“Oh no, it is nothing. You don’t have to think about it, our pain is not comparable in the slightest,” Mira quickly interjected and rushed closer to him grabbing his free arm.

“We have both lost them.” He then thought about what the knight had said and turned his head to him. “Did you say that the queen didn’t want Mira to learn swordsmanship? With those exact words?”

The knight nodded stoically. Michael grinned at Mira and said, “How about we go against your mother’s wishes, just for old time's sake.”

The princess instantly glowed up but then hesitated, “You would go against the strict order of my mother to not teach me how to fight. I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

“I won’t because I am not going to teach you sword fighting. I am going to teach you how to handle a stick. Technically I am not going to violate your mother’s wishes and if she never finds out she can’t change her order, right?”

“A stick,” Mira asked him with a confused voice, but he simply winked at her and said, “Come on I know a good spot where we can have some privacy. He then turned to Lance, “Lance, we are going to the house please get the rest of the guard and inform Sir Geron.”

An hour later Michael and Mira were standing in the backyard of the house with wooden staffs in hand. Mira had changed from her dress into one of Michael’s training outfits and looked a little bit embarrassed and confused at the same time.

“Why should I learn to fight with a stick,” she asked curiously.

“You will generally not have a weapon if your mother doesn’t want you to learn to fight so knowing how to use blunt improvised weapons that you can find nearly everywhere is a good idea.”

She frowned, “But how is a staff gonna do me any good when fighting against a real weapon.”

Michael smiled and said, “Alright, put it down and grab one of the wooden swords.”

She did and stood in front of him with an unsure expression. “Attack me,” Michael ordered and waited.

Her expression only deepened as she stepped forward and poked at him with little force. He simply swept the sword to the side and repeated, “Attack me but do it like you want to kill me and not whatever that was.”

She grabbed the sword with two hands this time and charged him. It didn’t look half bad with her natural grace, but Michael kept the staff between them, slapping the sword to the side every time she tried something or pushing her back with quick attacks.

“Are you even trying,” he asked and laughed a little.

Michael could see the frustration on her face, but this was exactly what he wanted. She jumped at him and aimed for his head; her strike suddenly sped up.

“What …,” Michael blurted out and instinctively began burning some mana. He spun around his staff and redirected the strike away from him and then locked the staff under her leg and pulled it out from under her.

She landed on the ground rather ungracefully and Michael blinked at her confused. “Did you just burn some mana at me?” Something about this situation puzzled him but he didn’t quite know what.

She got back to her feet and dusted herself off. “Sorry, I got a little frustrated.” She smiled at him apologetically and he returned it.

“You see what I mean with the staff? You can defend yourself well with it and keep people away.”

“But I have no clue what I am doing?”

“True but I also am not very skilled in staff fighting. Believe me, it is a good skill for you to have. I will also show you some things with shorter sticks, but you should probably focus on the staff.”

She nodded enthusiastically and picked up her staff that she had put to the side.

“Let’s begin with the stance.”