As the second human-beastkin war began, the humans attacked large plantations all across Terrafide, Victoria, and Molstoria, completely decimating the beastkin and pushing back their forces in Molstoria.
On each battlefield they won they freed all human slaves there, and increased their army size.
Word of their victories spread as beastkin ran from battlefield to other locations sending warnings of the oncoming invasions, which soon spread to the humans there causing massive uprisings even before Charles armies had arrived.
However, after a series of uprisings, the Red branch armies mobilized and started to meet the humans. But to the shock of many, the armies of the Red branch were mostly defeated again, and again.
Eventually, this led to an eight-month long war that the beastkin were losing, and in response to this, the leaders of the beastkin gathered in one place to discuss the events.
Location: Ríchathaoir Dhanu; Home of the high king in the centre providence of Tara
Φ Sitting across at the sides of a long table, the heads of the Red branch families or their representatives sit, with the Conchobar at the head of the table looking down at the latest battle report.
“As it stands right now, we are in a precarious situation, as The battle of Aillte ended with another defeat. As it stands right now, we are in a stalemate with the humans. So my generals what are we to do?”
Lugh says, “So far, I have identified a few issues which we will have to fix to overcome our current problem. First is the stall tactics the humans are using to beat against us.”
Treasa Ó Cathal, says, “I agree, right now they are sending waves of humans at us which are exhausting our stamina, before they send in their actual strike force which has the power to strike down our strongest.”
Lugh says, “The next issue would be that we don’t know where any of their main bases are located. Up till now they have somehow managed to remain hidden from our view and have kept their base of operations either mobile or stuffed away in some corner of the planet.”
Dedad Ó Laochs says, “It is also slowing down our invasion because I can grind through humans all day, but if don’t have a final target I will essentially be trying to kill every last human.”
Lugh says, “After that would be the issue of trade routes. Some of our biggest plantations in terms of produce have been stolen from us, and we were preparing to use them as supplies for our invasion east, so they had excess supplies which were being used against us.
The humans are also engaging in guerrilla tactics to attack our supply route, and we have had to dispatch units to deal with them within our own grounds, which has also led to quite a bit of civil unrest.”
Dagda Ó Éire says, “It seems they have studied all of my trade routes before the war started and set up traps. I have had to all but completely update the way I move my goods just to be safe. This has put us behind a step that we haven’t recovered from.”
Lugh says, “The final issue would then be the fact that they seem to have a hero king of some sort, Charles Animus. As it stands, he is a symbol of strength to many others.”
Fráech says, “But it really is only one human? Considering how meticulously this has been planned there must be others who are just as capable as him, so I don’t think he should be a priority in our minds.”
With a far more nervous than usual demeanour, Donald then says, “I Concur, for now, he seems like a rather unimportant person, considering there are probably many human leaders of equal skill behind this rebellion.”
Ruan Ó Lúcogadh chimes in and says, “I disagree. We all know how Fergus is important to our people. For revolution actions like this, a single symbol can carry the weight of the entire movement.”
Conchobar looking at Lugh says, “That’s all right?”
“For now, but if we don’t turn the tables soon, we might be in a permanent disadvantage, that the east will take advantage of.”
Conchobar focuses his attention down on the papers in front of him, and he says, “There are a series of reforms we need to do right now.
First, we need to leverage the places we have been succeeding. Both Lira Ó Máirseáil and Bricriu Ó Sealbhóir have been making dominating progress.
If I were to guess as to why that is, Lira is winning due to her superior seamanship, and navy. This isn’t something the humans could match, which means making pushes from her side will be necessary, so I will be requesting the house of Éire should turn over all of their trade ships to be repurposed to battleships and given to Lira.”
Dagda sighs and says, “I would prefer not to let that woman use my things, but it is not like any trading will be going on right now anyway. I will send my best captains towards her.”
“Next and more important, is Bricriu. Currently, a combination of Bricriu and Ronald have been making their way within Victoria and have crushed most if not all of the opponents they have faced.
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A combination of the Fuinseog scouting abilities and the unorthodox tactic Bricriu uses seems to be the best way of fighting against them, so all offensive armies will have a strategist from the house of Sealbhóir integrated in them.”
Dedad slams his arm against the table, and says, “I refuse.”
Treasa says, “Apologise to the high king or I will have your tongue.”
Conchobar puts up his hand signalling Treasa to calm down, before asking, “Why is that?”
“Sealbhóirs engage in cowardly tactics that are a disgrace to our name. Their peculiarities lead them to play around with their enemies leading to the pointless death of my men.”
Dedad scowls at the representative of the Sealbhóirs who just smiles back at him.
Lugh chimes in and says, “Then let’s just make it a numbers game. Before the strategist reaches you, I will send some of my men to count the number of your men who die during each battle, and you will then allow the Sealbhóir to run your army for a week and if the numbers are greater, you will concede.”
Dedad looks upset at this suggestion, but then Findabair says, “The answer is quite easy if one cares for the lives of their men the most. But maybe if you were just using your men as a shield for your distaste of the Sealbhóirs you would hate this deal.”
Dedad says, “Fine, I accept, but when the base of operations of the humans is located, I request leadership back.”
Conchobar says, “Of course, when it comes to offensive tactics, you are the best. Next, I will be moving the Cathal from their position on the eastern border to fortify our defences for the south and the west.”
Fráech asks, “Aren’t we keeping Treasa there for the sake of protecting from a surprise invasion from the east?”
“Yes, but as it stands, we need to set up forts that cannot be passed through from our attacking enemy. Though Scáthach and the royal army will leave Tara and head to the eastern border for this.”
Looking at Treasa, he says, “I trust you will be able to handle this.”
Delighted she says, “Anything for you, my king.”
“Now finally, we need to kill Charles Animus.”
Donald Ó Fuinseog says, “But my king he is merely one man, is he really important enough to be a priority to kill?”
“Yes, right now he has the same role for the humans, are Fergus had for the beastkin during our first war. He is the glue that holds them together and keeps everyone going forward.
Killing him and removing the line of leadership, could create enough chaos that will we have an opportunity to deal the humans a decisive blow destroying their ability to fight back against us.
Don’t forget the humans have been slaves, and if we make threats that their treatment will get worse if we win and they don’t surrender, we can make their morale plummet into the ground.”
Donald lowers his head, and says, “I see.”
Conchobar looks over to Mairead Ni Céilús, and Éamonn then asks, “Is Medb, and Culainn’s research bearing fruits?”
“My grandfather has found a way to streamline turning out wonderbeast supply into weapons, and armour, and he has already started mass producing some, so the quality of weapons has to increase quite tremendously.”
Mairead says, “For now Medb has locked herself away working on a rather specific project, if things turn out well it may change the course of the war.”
“Good to hear in both cases. Now everyone go out and bring glory to the empire.”
As everyone leaves Conchobar signals Treasa to stay, which the representative of Bricriu, Creed Ó Sealbhóir takes note of before he leaves.
At that same moment, Donald moves up to Creed and asks, “When do you think I will be able to talk with Bricriu next?”
“Sorry, I don’t know. He seems to be enjoying himself far more than he ever has on the front lines, but when he returns, I will let you know.”
Without a wasted moment, Creed walks out of the room, and eventually,y he runs into both Glic and Ferdiad, where he says, “Glic it seems you will be going to the front lines, along with your husband.”
With a cold tone, Ferdiad asks, “Where?”
“To where the house of Laoch is fighting. It is a bloody meat grinder in which swarms of humans are getting thrown against the strongest in the empire.”
“Perfect, I am sure my skills will be tested far more there than anywhere else.”
Holding back a laugh, Glic says, “You really would be an amazing actor for a villain.”
Annoyed Ferdiad grabs Glic’s nose, and swings it around moving her body along with it, then says, “And you would play any demon wonderfully.”
Blushing she says, “We aren’t married yet and you are already saying things that make me think of our children.”
Ferdiad lets out an annoyed sigh, then says, “One Faoláin, for another.”
Glic wraps her hands around Ferdiad, and walks with him away from Creed, then whispers into Ferdiad’s ear, “Thank you for being by my side, and I promise to always love you fairly for that.”
Pushing her away, she says, “I don’t need love, just control over my destiny. And as someone walking down that same path, I will work with you.”
“How sad that the man I throw myself at doesn’t reciprocate my feelings.”
Ferdiad stops, turns around then pats her on the head, and says, “You are the second person to impact my life like this, and I thank you for that. For now, until the day I die, I promise I won’t ever leave you alone.”
Glic pushes, and says, “Now say it to me again, and add honey.”
“Nope,” Ferdiad says quickly turning around. But as he does, he stops as in the distance he sees Laeg, Ibar and the rest of Solasmionna down the hall.
He shakes when he sees them, but quickly controls his breathing, and walks forward.
As he reaches both Laeg and Ibar, he is about to speak, but then Laeg runs up to him and slaps him across the face with visible rage showing on her face and composes herself in mere moments afterwards.
Glic glaring at her, says, “That can be considered an act of violence, by a commoner against one of the future spouses of a Red branch family.”
Laeg says, “This has nothing to do with the Faoláin that was my own personal issue. It’s all the pain Minagrain and the rest of us have felt since you left.”
Ferdiad touches his cheek, then says, “I will give you a single pass, but any more violence against me will be returned in kind.”
Grabbing Glic hands, Ferdiad walks forward and moves past all those in front of him.
Laeg then says, “We have all been tasked to come work for you in the upcoming battles.”
Stopping, Ferdiad says, “Why the hell would you do that?”
Laeg says, “Setanta asked Minagrain to tell us to look out for you.”
“I don’t need charity from the Faoláin especially when I can’t trust you won’t get revenge for your master?”
Ibar says, “Not a single member of our squad of the House of Faoláins, will ever see you as not one of us. We have always had two masters, and besides Setanta said, you get lonely easily.”
Ferdiad says, “Do whatever you want,” and walks away.
But as he does his hand trembles uncontrollably which causes Glic to turn back and look at all of them with viscous eyes of contempt.
Though soon none of them would have time to waste on such issues, as the turning point in the war was came sooner than any would expect.