Way back when, the great Anarit Forest that covers the borders of Naval, Namor, and Lorraine was a massive hotspot for banditry. Travelers often avoided the area in fear of their lives. Villages were sparse, regardless of size, as the constant raids meant that they were guaranteed to be wiped away by winter. One village managed to weather this massive storm, however, and began to thrive no matter how small it was.

The village of Verrigo, established about 2 decades ago, has been a target of bandits and brigands who know no boundaries. The people there lived in a constant state of fear of the upcoming winter, knowing that it is likely their supplies will never last so long with so many lost to theft.

However, around 5 years ago, the village began to thrive. It attracted new citizens and gained a reputation for being the safest near the forest. Bandits stopped attacking it, as did wild animals. Its meager population of about a few dozen ballooned to what is now half of a thousand, with more people being born and arriving by the day.

***

The initial assault succeeded, I thought to myself as I ordered a full-scale retreat through the flag bearers hidden in the canopy of the forest. Fortunately, the soldiers of my unit are well-trained in the forest, so this kind of communication is familiar to them.

As I’ve only become their Commander recently, I had to drill them in the use of these flag signals that I’ve honed for Town Guard duty, back when the biggest threats I had to face were a bunch of bandits running about stealing our grain.

There were about a dozen or so of them during our biggest hit - a jackpot, as we called it - and we managed to wipe them out one at a time. I never would have imagined then that I would be doing the same once more in a different forest, and against tens of thousands of professionally trained soldiers.

“Catail,” I said, ordering the nearest flag bearer to raise the signal.

In almost an instant, the few dozen flag bearers all across the forest raised their signals. Another moment after that and all soldiers on the ground currently retreating turned around, firing a single shot.

Two screams followed. Maybe three, though it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if they were alive or dead or even if any was hit at all. All that matters is that, at this moment, the enemy is scared. Scared of me, of my soldiers.

I saw that they'd already halted their advance and instead faced outwards in all directions. Perfect, I thought.

After giving another order via a flag bearer, another dozen or so shots rang through the forest, one after the other. And then another volley. Then two more. Then silence.

I can imagine that the enemy is confused right now, and frustrated. The perfect conditions.

***

ALEXIA

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The little raids over my army stopped as soon as I ordered my soldiers to begin facing outwards, to meet the attackers head-on. However, it was clear that this little battle wasn't over yet.

“Order an advance,” I said to the drummer beside me. “Advance, but do not break position. And no matter what, don’t stop.”

I kept my eyes above the trees. The enemy was coordinated despite their silence, they have to be getting their orders somewhere. I highly doubt that it’s on ground level, otherwise it’ll be difficult to see them.

My army moved slowly as we made it out of the forest. As I ordered, the soldiers held the position, which forced some of them to walk backwards. Luckily, soldiers of the Kytherean Empire have been trained to trust their fellows, and so no one lagged behind knowing that if they do, the ones in the back would trip and fall while those in the back knew that the ones behind them will maintain pace and thus they need not be scared.

Shots flew through the air as we retreated slowly. Just as I suspected, there were soldiers up in the trees. I’m guessing that, at this very moment, we’re surrounded. I don’t know how many enemies there are, but judging by the attacks and the shots there can’t be plenty. Maybe a single unit?

That doesn’t matter, though, if we don’t know where they are. The only thing we can do is to get out of the forest. We made our way slowly but surely, the soldiers ignoring each shot even as they hit those who were right next to them. They kept marching and marching until…

“MAKE A RUN FOR IT!” I screamed. We have already lost maybe a hundred soldiers in this little skirmish, and it seems that the enemy is satisfied with that.

The enemy has ordered a retreat. Their mistake.

***

PAUL

We have camped deep in the forest, where the enemy can’t spot us. As we are to remain hidden, I’ve decided to split my unit into five groups of hundred, and then further into groups of 10. It’s these 10 that would share a camp, scattered all across the forest.

We can’t start a fire, but Lord Alec has provided us with the invention of his teacher - simple stones carved with the rune for ‘HEAT’. We need only to fill it with ink so as to activate it, and then we can cook with it and huddle around to maintain warmth.

As night has already fallen, I could only guess that the enemy has already arrived at the walls of Figaro, just as Lord Alec planned. Before the end of the day, they would have surrounded the city and the siege should begin by tomorrow.

I have inflicted casualties today, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what they have in full. Still, a drop is a drop and each and all of it counts.

Besides, the night isn’t over yet…

***

ANAIS

I was frustrated when Lord Paul kept me out of the earlier skirmish… I always got the feeling that they were looking down at me. Even Lord Alec. However, it seems that maybe… maybe that’s not the case…

At this moment, I am leading about 10 soldiers out of the Terras Woods and into the open field surrounding Figaro. The enemy should be there at this moment, encamped and waiting for the day.

We moved quietly, using the darkness as our cover. This meant that none of us carried a torch and that we’re essentially walking blind. Still, the encampment provides us with a single goal even as we stumble on the dark fields.

As we neared the closest bonfire, I ordered my team to split into groups of two just as we planned. Each team carried a bag of stones. Moving as close as possible and fanning out for as wide, we each threw the stone far into the enemy’s camp.

After throwing a stone, the next step would be to move again, circling the enemy from the shadows and again throwing another stone. And another. We are to repeat this process until we have casted all of them or we are captured. Fortunately, by the time we finished, all five teams returned with their empty bags.

The mission was a success.