I’m not sure what I had been expecting, but being seated for a lecture and history lesson wasn’t it.
“Roughly one hundred and fifty years ago, the Northern Pass was reinforced with sentinel stations at semi-regular intervals. Let’s consider that Alexandria’s forces already control the central portions of the pass. There should only be the northern portions of the pass that must be subjugated.”
“Little issue.” A woman waved the comment off, her silver hair cropped short near her head, one of the direct subordinates of the Head Star. “Those stations should be of little hindrance to fully mobilized and armed troops. They’re only meant to dissuade would-be bandits.”
“Perhaps, but they can be beacons which would hinder our potential for surprise.” The first man spoke up once more.
“Was surprise ever to be ours?” The woman asked him, her face scrunched up like she was annoyed at being questioned. “We’re moving an entire column of troops to the north.”
The further the discussion continued, the greater my own confusion grew.
Moving troops north? Why? What’s the point of moving north?
As far as I knew, the only thing of note in the North was Theronhold itself. Not just that, Theronhold was also the most well-defended city throughout Haerasong. To travel north was nothing more than a waste of time and resources.
Or so I think.
“Why don’t we pause for a moment.” Standing up, Commander Greyheart silenced the room; their presence enough to silence all conversation. “We have some here who appear as if they aren’t sure of our motives.”
While no one looked in my direction, I could almost feel the attention turned toward me as the only new person in the room.
“Rook, what are your assessments on the discussion?” The commanding Star questioned me.
“Well, it doesn’t seem to make sense at a glance,” I said plainly. “The North doesn’t have much to fight over. While it’s wise to reinforce defenses going north to protect from potential attacks, a full-on incursion seems excessive. Turning our attention south seems much more suitable, given that’s where the real sway within Haerasong resides. Conquer the South, and you win the war. Even if you could take the North, you’d gain little from it.”
“Ahh, an accurate assessment at a glance.” Erin nodded as if what I said was fair. “But not an assessment that considers the wider scope that goes into planning and understanding the movement of battle and war.”
I merely shrugged, unbothered by the underhanded insult. “Never claimed to be a military strategist. Enlighten me since you’re the one holding all the cards.”
“Why, my pleasure.” Erin gave me a slight nod as if it had always been their intention. “You must understand that typically, in our position, we would be exposed, and by ‘we’ I mean our allies in the arid midlands. To the North, that is especially true. There is little that would prevent the soldiers of the North from marching southward in one large column, our allies caught in an iron-clad vice. Of course, the southern capital does not have the luxuries to march north as the northern capital has to march south.”
“The desert,” I said, my eyes narrowing.
“Exactly. I believe you can fill in the blanks?”
Clued-in, my mind began racing at a million leagues a minute, my understanding of the dynamics of the war shifting right before my eyes.
“While it’s true that travel through the desert is not impossible, at least not in small groups -” I began. “- that changes when you’re mobilizing an army. The monsters of the desert are normally either avoided entirely or dealt with by adventurers trained to deal with them.”
“And most famously of those monsters?” The Commander questioned, an expression like that of a teacher watching their prized pupil.
“The Desert Crawlers.” I almost wanted to laugh at the notion of the oversized ants playing such a pivotal role. “They’re attracted to vibrations and movement. The more things tromping through the desert, the larger their potential detection range. You try to move that many soldiers through the desert; you’re practically begging every colony of desert crawlers to burst out from under your feet. They’d lose hundreds, thousands of soldiers before they even saw a single battle.”
“Exactly,” Erin confirmed. “But the same holds true of us. We can’t advance troops through the South, at least not in mass. Still, we can move them north, using the established Northern pass that connects the central desert regions to the frigid woodlands of the North.”
“If one target isn’t viable, you move to the next best target,” I murmured. “But there is something I still don’t understand.”
“Which is?”
“The methods to achieve victory, by either side. By all rights, Dunehold can’t play a part in this war. They’re too far away. Unless…”
It clicked, the final piece I was missing.
“That’s why Captain Garcett is so important, why the Second Star was so upset with Imako dragging him to Akadia. If troops can’t travel on foot, you must move them over the sea.”
“Continue.”
“It’s why the north is so important in all this.” I pointed at the oversized map on the table in front of us. “May I?” I gestured toward a pencil next to it.
“Go ahead, we have plenty.”
Grabbing the pencil, I quickly began marking up the map.
“First, we have our location.” I circled the semi-circle island of the southwest coast of Haerasong. “We are close enough to the mainland that if they attempt to send ships north through this stretch of ocean along the coast, we can cut them off while having a more convenient dock and resupply zone. How aware is the crown of your naval forces?”
“As of current? Painfully unaware. Their first attempt at sending troops north will be met by a fleet of ships every bit their equal, if not outright superior.”
“Then Akadia.” I pointed toward the port city on the opposite coast. “Who has control of it?”
“Alexandria.” Commander Greyheart said.
“Then yeah, they’ll probably avoid routing ships past Akadia if they believe this coast is less defended. By sending troops north, through the coasts, they can then have them meet with their northern allies and march them down into the desert region from the Northern pass. Theronhold is perfect for such a cause, fortified as it is, if troops can land in the North and then make the comparatively short march into the northern capital, we’ll have no way of holding back their combined forces once they set out from there.”
“So?” The Head Star asked, prompting me to continue.
“We move out first.” I tapped the pencil on the map. “They’ll be surprised at first when they attempt the route along this coast, but after the initial bloody nose they get for their efforts, they will be far more prepared. Even if you have a considerable fleet, your resupply location is solely this island and the few small ports within the desert region, but most of those ports are inconsequential. The only major port within the central region would be Akadia at this point.”
“Once they realize they have no chance at taking this island, they’ll begin concentrating their southern forces on the city, correct.” The Commander said, getting ahead of me. “There are several relatively safe land routes from the southern region to Akadia, though none from Akadia to Dunehold itself.”
“But then they don’t need to take Akadia to march from Akadia to Dunehold. They only need to capture the city so that they would have a safe coastal route to the North, as we won’t be able to mobilize our own navy to travel so far on short notice.”
“Correct. The war’s early phase will thus be centered on Akadia.”
I frowned. I didn’t like the idea of Akadia being exposed to war. The city hadn’t been my home for long, but it was perhaps the closest I’d gotten to a proper home, even in the short time I’d lived there.
“If we were to capture the north, though, we would have a shot at moving our main forces south,” I spoke, the irony not falling on deaf ears. “To travel south, we must travel north. Without the threat of assault from the North, we can safely turn our attention south and begin mobilizing southward. Still, that’s asking a lot. It hinges upon the North simply giving up the fight, but as defended as the North is, won’t we take severe losses trying to conquer it? At which point, given time, their navy would grind down ours, and even a few slow trickles inward to the South would be enough to beat us if we lose too many forces in the North.”
“Which is where you come into play,” Erin announced.
“How?” I questioned.
“As you said, a fully mobilized northward advance would leave us bloodied. Before having you with us, the plan was to have Imako travel north and undermine the city of Theronhold. The issue with that plan was that while the desert is untraversable to large forces, small groups can still easily pass through. If someone like the Head Magus were allowed to freely reach Dunehold while Imako was busy in the North, she could easily inflict severe damage.”
“And that’s what Imako’s orders are, I presume.” I offered. “You have him contending and contesting any major powers, effectively locking both sides down.”
“Precisely. So, while Imako is busy with those objectives, you will travel north instead, and you, along with a small strike force of highly skilled mages, will meet up with our forward troops in the North. Working together, you will capture Theronhold and then proceed to the northern port city of Cypress and take control of the city. We hope you will have both captured when securing forces arrive so they may land unharried. Should we lose too many of those forces after all, the denizens of the North may decide to get rebellious even after your initial capture of the city.”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“Make them figure it’s not worth the losses.” I nodded; the plan was clever.
Clever except for one part.
“This all hinges on my capture and subduing of Theronhold.” I pointed out.
“Not you alone, but essentially.” The Commander agreed.
“Isn’t that putting a lot of stakes on a rather shaky foundation?”
“That depends on you. A battlefield is the maneuvering of your available resources more effectively than your opponent. A decisive and well-aimed strike can splinter a much stronger force before it can ever solidify. A show of extreme force by a singular individual can break the will of men and women alike when that singular force is believed to be more akin to a force of nature than a person of flesh and blood. As a Void Mane, Imako would have been perfect for such a job. Still, there was also the chance that being a magical beast, the citizens would be further galvanized by the belief they were battling a threat to humanity. As a human, you can be that force of nature without the adage of being an unnatural monster threatening their right to exist.”
Well, a magical beast and a monster are different…
Instead of voicing the thought, I kept it firmly to myself. I doubted anyone in the room cared for a lecture on taxonomy.
“In short, Rook Baster, your task is to not just take the North but to break their spirits. They must not believe for even a moment that resisting is worth the loss. But you must also balance such a task against seeming like a tyrant. You are to be perfectly reasonable, and even more terrifying for it, lest the reasonable man be forced to commit… unreasonable things.”
Go on, Rook, just become the boogeyman hiding under their beds.
“I can see why Imako was key,” I said instead.
“Indeed, but now we have a potentially even more valuable piece upon the chess board that can threaten our enemies’ movements.”
“So, when do I start?” I asked with fake cheer.
“Today.” The Commander said nonchalantly.
“Today?” I raised an eyebrow in surprise. “No chance to prepare?”
“None. Ships from the South have already been spotted along the coast as of yesterday. The crown was already preparing for the inevitable; they obviously came to similar conclusions as we did, so we must move with haste. If assessments are correct, they’ll be within range in the next few hours. In that time, you will meet your squad and be sent on the most direct path to the North. That means rather than sail close to the coast, you will head directly to the tip of the God Peninsula.”
I was familiar with the landmass; it was where Sun-Splitter Peak and other mountain ranges towered out into the sky, so vast that it was hard to tell that the entire area was, in fact, situated upon a peninsula.
“Isn’t deep water travel risky? More chances of leviathans or other sea monsters in the deeper sea.”
“Yes, but it’s also the fastest route if you cut across directly. Be at ease, though. You won’t be in a full-sized ship to attract their attention.”
“That sounds the opposite of putting me at ease,” I said flatly. “You expect me to embark on a deep-water journey in some dinghy?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Wonderful,” I grumbled. “So we cut straight across to the peninsula, skirt around it, then cut across the northern gulf waters to reach the north?”
“Yes, and once you pass the God Pennisula, you should be free of most threats of sea monsters with the colder currents.”
Part of me wanted to protest, to have more issue with how insane the entire plan sounded.
Yet, another part of me couldn’t deny the facts being presented.
When did that happen? When did I go from a weak, magicless boy, even an adventuring teenager, to someone who is told to capture the best-defended city in the country and not think it totally impossible?
As much as I still thought of myself the same way I had as a kid, I wasn’t a kid anymore. I‘d grown powerful in my own right. If recognizing that was arrogant, well, then so be it.
“When do I meet my team?” I questioned after a moment of silence.
“Now.” Commander Greyheart jerked their head toward the silver-haired assistant, who made their way out of the room before returning only moments later, six people in tow.
“Commander.” The first of the group gave a deep nod to the commanding Star, his top knot shifting behind his head.
“Here they are.” Greyheart seemed pleased, waving at the group. “Introductions, please.”
“Dirk. Dirk Klaus.” The top knot man glanced at me, folding his arms as he did. “Captain of the Eighth Platoon. Ordinarily, I’d be assigned with said soldiers, but Commander Greyheart here had other ideas.”
“Indeed, I needed professional and well-versed voices in the group with enough strength to not be overridden or ignored.”
Dirk nodded to the Commander, apparently unphased.
“Ilya Vaash.” A woman stepped forward, similar age to my own. “First Lieutenant of the Eight Platoon. You can think of me as Captain Dirk’s right hand.”
“She can throw down with the best of them.” Commander Greyheart added. “If she were an adventurer, she’d likely be graded anywhere from mid to high gold.”
I had to separate my own accolades and abilities for a moment as I considered the woman. Being only in her mid-twenties and being that strong was enviable by most.
Just not myself.
“Rorak Gilead. Lance Corporal.”
I nodded, the ranks meaning little to me, who had next to no prior knowledge of such things.
“Alice De’vou. Corporal.”
“Alice here is an expert with restitution magic.”
“Kin magic focused on healing?” I questioned.
“Something along those lines.” The woman gave me a quick smile, her short-cropped mane of brown curls bobbing around as she did.
“Garus Ezo, Second Lieutenant.”
“Danai Okkoi, Captain of the Ninth Platoon.”
“Uhm, isn’t two Captain’s a bit much?” I questioned. “I may not be well-versed in military protocol, but even to me, that seems like a lot.”
“Perhaps, but your success will prove pivotal to our chances of success in this war. Anyway, Danai here volunteered.”
I raised an eyebrow at the woman, her skin the color of black coffee, never cracking for a moment, leaving the implied question unanswered.
Why?
“These men and women are amongst some of our best that we can afford to leave their posts. At a bare minimum, each is what you could call the equivalent of a low gold adventurer in direct combat, often providing more than what meets the eye past that. They can fill you in on their actual abilities on your journey, but now is not the time or place given the pressing time frame.”
Turning her attention from me toward the six gathered soldiers, Commander Greyheart rose half an inch, straightening out.
“For the duration of this mission, the chain of command is that there is no explicit chain of command. Each of you is informed and trained enough to know where and when to understand those who better grasp a situation. There is one exception: Rook here shall be acting outside the chain of command or lack thereof. Thus, I want you all to defer to his decisions in moments involving magic and such.”
It was a long-winded way to say, ‘Hey, no egos here. Do what needs to be done, and don’t limit yourself to typical protocol.’
“Now that introductions are out of the way, you are dismissed. You will head to the nearest armory together, picking out anything useful. Then, you are to head straight to the dock. You have thirty minutes.”
“Roger.” The six gathered soldiers saluted as I watched silently. Then, without another word, they left the room one by one.
“That means you as well.” Commander Greyheart nodded toward me, a hint of amusement in their eyes. “And Rook?”
“Yes?” I questioned.
“I shouldn’t have to say this, but to be clear. Their lives are expendable if push comes to shove. All that matters is our results.”
Hearing a statement said so plainly by their commanding officer was sobering, so I opted to give a weak nod as I followed the group out a moment later.
Cold. Hard as stone.
No. The Commander was stone for all that it mattered. It was as if there were no human emotions there. Even Imako seemed more human than that…thing.
But that’s what it takes at the end of the day.
Shaking my head, I noticed the six soldiers waiting for me.
“Rook Baster.” Dirk saluted to me as he said my name.
“Err, no need for that; I’m not even part of Nochesuki.”
“Yes, but we have our orders. In the absence of a direct command structure, it was stated that you were the next closest to our superior, though I do hope you would be willing to have an open ear.”
“Hah, trust me, I don’t know shit about military operations, at least not compared to you all. I’m here to explain when we should make things go boom.”
“Make things go boom.” Rorak tested the words out, smiling as he did. “I think we might get along.”
“We can save further discussions until we’re on the boat. Let’s get our gear and ship out for now, alright?” Danai cut in smoothly, with no hint of hostility in her reprimand of the casual direction of the conversation.
Nodding, I could only follow the group.
As I said, I’m just here to make things go boom.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
“Alice and I are normally active members of the fleet. While we’re in our little craft here, I suggest you listen to us, alright?” Rorak spoke up as he addressed the group, all waiting within the smaller boat, at least compared to the rest of the fleet around us. “Unlike those beauties around us, we don’t have cannons or armor, so if shit goes sideways, our best bet is to make like a rabbit.”
“Make like a rabbit?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Run like shit.” Alice chose then to speak up. “We’re a fast craft, far faster than any warship can content with over any real stretch, but if we end up within range of cannons at any point, be it shipside or from a defended port, we’re right fucked.”
“Got it.” I nodded.
“Rhongomyniad, report.”
“We hear you, Gate Guard.” Alice was speaking into a red gem that reminded me much of the transceiver gem within my suite in Akadia, which I used to contact the front desk.
“We’re casting off in two minutes. Are you ready?”
Alice glanced at the rest of us, and when no one spoke up in refutation, her eyes shot back toward the gem.
“We’re set.”
“Then hang back on us until it’s clear.”
“Roger.”
The gem went silent, as we likewise waited in utter silence until precisely two minutes later, the massive warships, which had been a swarm of activity, began to pull free from the harbor, barely disturbing the water.
“Have to give props to that that Eorial.” Rorak clucked his tongue to his teeth as he watched, the first to speak up in minutes.
It didn’t take a genius to decipher what he meant. The armored warships were clearly based on the same design plans as Scyla’s own personal warship, her ship the prototype they borrowed inspiration from.
I can understand a few things a little better now.
Scyla had lots of money, but she was still only a single part of her broader encompassing family. It wasn’t as if she had free reign to their coffers. Therefore, her ability to gather funds had likely partly been from selling her designs.
Genius artificer she is, it’s not surprising she’d end up selling military hardware.
I almost chuckled, but my outward mask never allowed even a crack to show. I would not allow myself the reward of satisfaction now that the mission had officially begun.
Not until the scales have been settled.
Watching the ships pull out from the harbor minutes later, we began to follow, lagging so we didn’t end up in the way.
“Now what?” I finally questioned as we began to leave the island behind after another half an hour.
“We pray that the glorious bitch known as the sea favors us.” Rorak snorted. “If we are lucky, our ships manage to outmaneuver the crown fleet on their way in, and a blockade will form as neither side sees fit to open fire on one another with the status quo already formed. Damned the crown may be, but their fleet captains hopefully aren’t the type of idiots that would see fit to throw lives to the watery depths for the hell of it.”
“And if not?” I questioned.
“Well, let us cross that bridge when we get there.”
---------------------------------------
“Rhongomyniad.”
“Gate Guard, what’s up?” Alice snapped to attention, the rest of the gathered soldiers resting; we’d been sailing for nearly three hours already.
“Contact. We have contact. Seems currents were in their favor. No chance of holding a position. We’ve got ourselves a fight coming.”
“Numbers?” The woman questioned.
The line was silent for a moment.
“Numbers?”
“Shit.” I heard a voice from the transponder, a background voice that had been picked up before the original voice took over once more. “They’ve got us outgunned, that’s for certain. Our estimates put it three, maybe four to one.”
“Shit.” It was Rorak’s turn to speak up, as the two naval experts had taken position near each other, occasionally whispering to one another thoughts on the sailing so far.
Four to one. Don’t need to be a military strategist to know that’s bad.
“Seems someone in the crown was wiser than expected, or bolder, and sent about twice as many ships as we had expected to come our way.” The transponder announced. “I’m not saying we can’t throw down; our ships are their superiors, but that leaves the problem of you, Rhongomyniad. You’re quick but need time to build up speed, right?”
“Yes,” Alice answered plainly.
“Well, redirect out of the way and start building then. We’ll do our duty to protect you all. Still, our main prerogative is preventing the crown from establishing a foothold outside our doorstep.”
“We’re on our own,” Garus spoke up quietly, the translated news apparently as vexing on the quiet man as finding a spider in his room.
“Good luck. To all of us.” The line said before going silent.
“It appears the ‘Glorious Bitch’ didn’t favor us.” I snorted after a moment of silence.
“No, it would appear not.” Alice sighed, her head shaking. “Brace yourselves. This is about to turn into a bumpy cruise.”