Alice's weary form slouched against the rough-hewn table, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion. Her gaze drifted absentmindedly to the towering stack of papers that had become her constant companion. These past few hours had been a never-ending frenzy of meetings and ceaseless planning. Now, in this rare moment of solitude, the burdensome weight of fatigue became unmistakable. With a sudden jolt, Alice snapped upright, determined to defy the creeping drowsiness that threatened to pull her under, causing the old chair beneath her to creak loudly in protest.
Alice's reflexes kicked in, her slender fingers reaching for a sheet of paper from the stack. Simultaneously, her opposite hand gently tugged a nearly spent, flickering candle closer from its resting place at the far edge of the table, allowing her to read its contents more easily. Frustration quickly welled up within her upon reading, evident in the telltale bite of her lip, and the staccato rhythm of her left hand tapping impatiently upon the table's worn surface.
An estimated casualties report, compiled roughly an hour after the skirmish had ended. The problem was that the handwriting was so poor she could barely decipher any of it. She scanned the bottom right corner of the report for the writer's name, half-considering making a complaint. However, the writer's name was also illegible. She held no intention of actually pursuing the matter of course, punishing someone for bad handwriting would be in poor form. She'd just request a new report, or find the original writer, a waste of time but what could she do. With a sigh, she tossed the paper onto the table and leaned back, frustrated further by the increasingly loud creaking of the chair.
There was a severe shortage of officers within the rearguard, especially well-educated ones. Too many tasks and not enough manpower. Many of the units under her command were, for all intents and purposes, leftovers. Units the army wouldn't miss if they were to perish. It didn't help that many of their officers died during the battle, leaving her with a whole lot of infantry but not enough leadership. Any officer with a free hand who possessed excellent literacy skills had already been assigned tasks, perhaps she should be grateful that the writer of this cryptic report wrote it at all.
Alice drew in a sharp breath, a futile attempt to dispel the mounting stress, struggling to maintain composure. What on earth was she doing here? She felt wholly unqualified for this position, let alone leading an entire operation by herself. Did her aunt give her this role out of faith or scorn? She was sure she was on amicable terms with her aunt, did that change? She really didn't want to start thinking about family politics now of all times, there was a job to do. The chain of command was currently a mess. Most of the units are demoralized and understrength. Supplies are lacking, particularly the medical kind.
She contemplated rationing the medical supplies, reserving them only for the most severely injured. But was that a wise decision? With limited supplies, she had to carefully select who received them and brace for the consequences. Manpower was the utmost priority at this moment, all her decisions would revolve around this crucial fact. She needed to meticulously plan how to effectively utilize her forces and minimize casualties. The more soldiers she could retain, the better the chances of survival for the entire rearguard.
On the bright side, reports indicated that the rearguard had thus far been successful. In fact, their success was so significant that the Imperial army had shifted its focus entirely to annihilating them, rather than pursuing the retreating Kundis army. She believed they had chosen this course of action under the assumption of a swift conclusion with her forces before resuming their pursuit.
Disturbing reports had reached her not long ago, detailing Imperial units executing a flanking maneuver, bearing all the hallmarks of the snake hold tactic. She had already ordered the repositioning of units from less critical areas to intercept the flanking Imperials. The intention wasn't to stop them but to buy time, she couldn't stop them, she just didn't have the manpower to spare for such a risky maneuver. For now all she could do is form the best defense possible within the time allowed while expecting the worst.
Normally, a strategic retreat to escape an encirclement would be the preferred course of action. However, her orders were crystal clear: stand firm and buy time, even if it meant defying reason, and teetering on the brink of self-destruction. What made matters worse was the uncertainty of how long this holding action was meant to endure. They might just as well say straight to her face to commit suicide.
"What a mess…" she uttered, her voice tinged with a heavy sigh.
"Lady Kolba," a girl called, entering the tent.
A maid, holding a tray with a steaming teapot and two delicate cups. Her uniform, a collarless coat in a thick, light blue fabric over a white button-down shirt, and a long black skirt that flowed down to her ankles. Her collar, pinned neatly with a white ribbon at the collar-point that extended down to her chest, peeked out just above the coat's neckline. An armband on her right arm proudly displayed the house she served, the emblem of the Kolba. A sword hung gracefully from her belt. Her features were unremarkable but pleasant, soft on the eyes one can say. Fair skin framed by plain brown eyes and long auburn hair. Overall, her appearance suited well with her uniform, almost seamlessly.
"How are you faring?" the maid inquired, her voice warm and comforting. "I figured some refreshments were in order. Nothing's better than nice hot tea to soothe the mind. I made it a little stronger than usual, kashmir mixed with green tea, your favorite."
"Thank you Emily," Alice replied tiredly. "Replacing some of the furniture here would also help my psyche if that is possible."
Emily offered a meek smile, her brown eyes reflecting empathy. "I'm afraid I can't, Lady Kolba. My apologies. While most of the furnishings here look like we robbed them from a graveyard, they are, regretfully, the best we have."
Alice groaned as she took another piece of paper from the stack, watching as Emily gracefully placed the two teacups on the table, pouring the fragrant contents of the teapot within.
"Has everyone arrived for the meeting yet?" Alice inquired.
"A few have, the rest will be there soon. I expect no longer than 10 minutes. Should I inform you when everyone arrives or when ready?"
"Arrival. I wouldn't be lying if I said this whole situation feels like a nightmare."
Emily nodded in understanding, her gaze increasingly sympathetic. "Nothing you can't handle my lady. This storm will pass. A nice hot bath and a proper bed once this is all over sounds nice doesn't it? If only they had such facilities here."
"If we make it out of this alive. Right now the situation looks pretty grim. I wonder how long we can hold out for."
"I heard the Imperials are surrounding us as we speak, is that true?"
"I see the servant staff is working diligently as always. Though this is news I have yet to announce, even those in the know have been told to keep shut. Which begs the question, have the maids and servant staff come to some form of agreement?"
"Yes, after a very friendly discussion," Emily said with particular emphasis. "The servants have agreed to provide the maids with all kinds of information upon request for this particular situation, forgoing standard procedure."
"A friendly discussion?" Alice repeated, smirking. "That's quite a change. It's good to see both services willingly cooperating. Normally, you'd all be at each other's throats unless forced together."
"We aim to meet your expectations, Lady Kolba," Emily replied with a small bow.
"Now, regarding the encirclement. That's what the reports are suggesting; it's not certain yet. We'll know soon. I just need more status reports. In fact, that's what this next meeting is for: preparations for the worst possible scenario."
"Not a meeting you're looking forward to I presume?" Emily asked teasingly.
"No... not at all. There is one I am looking forward to however, have you heard anything about the arrival of Raid and Nova?" A question that embodied all her hopes.
Emily's gaze softened. "Not yet. Are you worried about them?"
Alice's eyes filled with concern. "Of course, is that even a question? I'm worried sick, especially considering they're here of all places. It's a shame I didn't find out sooner. I had hoped they wouldn't immediately be put on the frontlines as soon as the war began. The first battle of the war, and one we lost no less, how unlucky."
"To be fair, my lady, you are also present. I was also under the impression that many would consider it an honor to partake in the first battle, regardless of the outcome. Perhaps the knights would view this with particular favor?"
"I am not one to glorify war. I don't know what Raid and Nova would think but I see it as unfortunate. You also shouldn't compare me to them, it is not the same. I'm not in a combat role, they are."
"I will bear that in mind, forgive any offense Lady Kolba. But when I receive word of their arrival, should they be led to the command tent or here?"
"Command tent. I requested their presence in official capacity, otherwise I wouldn't have a good enough excuse to see them. You don't need to call me either, just allow them in."
"Understood. I'll inform the others and make the appropriate preparations," Emily bowed again, turning to leave.
Alice grabbed another sheet of paper from the stack, reaching for the teacup as she did. When the title of the report caught her eye, it read, 'Imperial Encirclement Confirmed, Multiple Sightings.' Alice bit her lip hard, dread washing over her.
"I can see why you need a damn guide to get around this place," said Raid, musing.
"I hope they don't intend to keep it like this? It's awfully messy here Sergeant Asher," voiced Nova, her eyes scanning the chaotic scene.
Asher, his expression a mix of pride and apology, replied, "I won't deny that I'm a bit ashamed of the state of this camp. We weren't given much time to set it up you see. So if you'd please, forgive the mess."
The trio wove their way through the sprawling camp, a bustling city unto itself. Tents of all sizes, colors, and conditions sprawled across uneven ground, creating a vivid, makeshift mosaic. Soldiers in various stages of preparation and rest bustled about, many with a sense of unease about them. Navigating proved challenging. One moment, they strolled through a wide-open space, spacious enough for four carriages to pass with ease side by side, much like a proper road. The next, they squeezed between two tents, their path narrowing to accommodate only two abreast, only for it to open up again unexpectedly.
Tents stood askew, their placement haphazard, as if a race had occurred to stake claim to ground, making navigation a small puzzle. This kind of slapdash arrangement defied military standards and was a mistake for which recruits in basic training were severely punished. Its presence here hinted at the rushed circumstances of this camp's establishment.
Amidst the labyrinthine camp, campfires crackled, casting plumes of smoke into the air. The scent of cooking food mingled with the ever-present aroma of sweat. Soldiers meticulously tended to their weapons and gear, while swapping stories and jokes, creating a cacophony of clinks, clatters, and lively discourse. Flags and banners, each representing a different unit, fluttered in the breeze, staking territorial claims within this bustling microcosm of the military world.
Asher, grinning from ear to ear and growing in years, maneuvered past a soldier to avoid collision, leading the way confidently and diligently. "This sight brings back good memories doesn't it? If our instructors from basic saw the state of this camp they'd whip our hides."
"I never went to basic training," Raid replied. "Went straight to the military academy. We have something similar though, called the Damsel Express, which lasts about a month. Still got chewed out for the same thing but, placed my tent right where the walkway was supposed to be."
"Yeah?" Asher laughed. "Knew a guy who made the same mistake. Instructor made him sleep out in the cold in knee-deep snow. We had to wrap him in a wall of sheets so he wouldn't freeze to death. Poor bastard, I wonder what he's doing now."
"I skipped all the field stuff," Nova chimed in. "Learned everything in-house. I didn't miss anything exciting did I?"
"Nah, not really," Asher said. "Just a whole lot of grown men babysitting other men. Yelling, fighting, that sorta thing. I can only assume you went through some sort of accelerated training if you skipped all the fieldwork."
"We both did, mine was faster. Officer Raiden and I graduated from the same class, I joined some time after his little field trip."
Asher's gaze shifted towards the distance, lost in thought. "I was thinking of applying for the academy once this war is over, brighten my future up a bit. Hopefully, they'd also give me accelerated training considering my experience. That is, if they don't consider me too old of course." He paused abruptly, placing his hands on his hips as he stared proudly forward. "Well, here we are. Right there is the command tent; I've done my job as the guide. 2nd Officer Raiden, Support Officer Fable, best of luck to you."
"Likewise," replied Raid, smiling warmly. "And I am sure the academy would accept someone of your experience even if you were a cripple. We're mostly administrative, and there's always plenty of rear work to be had."
Asher grinned, nodded, before he snapped into a salute. With a casual turn, he continued on his way, disappearing into the bustling camp and returning to his previous duties. Raid and Nova stood in silent contemplation as they stared forward, their eyes locked on the tent that loomed ahead. It was as large as a modest house, flanked by two groups of guards who seemed to be its staunch protectors.
One group consisted of six heavily armored guards with spears pointed skyward, shields held close, their faces hidden beneath stern helmets. The other group, comprised of nine maids. Standing perfectly motionless. Their armbands prominently bore the emblem of the Kolba, while their swords quietly swayed from the faint breeze. One maid stood at the front of the entrance, blocking it, the rest formed neat rows of two, standing with military precision to her right, while the aforementioned guards stood vigil to her left.
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Raid couldn't help but find the scene somewhat perplexing and oddly amusing. Maids, traditionally emblematic of noble domesticity, appeared out of place amidst this martial encampment. He knew of the custom among nobility to include a retinue of attendants during military ventures, maids being classified as one type of attendant. Why some nobles, the powerful ones mostly, insist on arming their maids were lost to him. In his view, it appeared somewhat comical. Maids trained for household duties now acting like soldiers, with swords they likely couldn't even use. Expensive looking swords too, seems like a waste of equipment that can be used elsewhere.
Nova, however, maintained a demeanor of icy vigilance, her senses on high alert, a reaction that escaped Raid's notice. While it was an open secret within a select group of nobles, the rest of society remained largely oblivious to this clandestine reality. Maids, on the surface, appeared as nothing more than highly skilled household attendants. But beneath this facade, they served as the fiercely loyal and deadly combat arm of the great noble houses. Unable to maintain their own private armies, the nobles, those with the means, circumvented this limitation by training and maintaining a core group of attendants called maids under their service.
Whether acquired through purchase or abduction, these individuals are subjected to a relentless regimen of training and indoctrination from a young age. This arduous process typically spans a grueling eight years, boasting an alarmingly low success rate. By the time they emerge from this crucible, they do so with all traces of their former identities erased, replaced by an unwavering loyalty to the noble house that molded them. Considered very dangerous coupled with a lack of morals. They are brutal in their executions, masked under a deceptively tender smile. Even here on the battlefield, they donned their uniforms with a quasi-religious devotion, steadfastly refusing to don armor, lest it taint their pristine attire. While Nova knew they could not harm her, she was still a member of a different noble house. Caution was advised, even if the assumed master of this particular group of maids was her dear friend.
Raid and Nova approached the entrance with measured steps, exuding an air of confidence. As they drew closer to the portal, the maid who had been guarding it stepped forward, a figure they both instantly recognized.
"Emily," Raid greeted, "long time no see. I trust you've been well?"
"I believe it's been roughly 5 months since we last met. It's truly an honor to be in your presence again, Sir Raiden," Emily smiled, bowing gracefully. "Lady Fable, you look as lovely as always, I trust your health has kept you well?"
"Well enough," Nova replied curtly. "Now, if you'd be so kind as to step aside, we'd like to enter."
"Oh, come on Nova. Emily here is a good friend," Raid said, revealing a slightly embarrassed expression. "Nova is a little tired Emily, we haven't slept all night. Forgive us if we do anything to offend."
"None taken; please do not mind. I am merely a maid. If anything, it bothers me that you were to care for my lowly self." Stepping aside, Emily gestured inside. "I've been told to allow you two in without prior permission, please."
Raid and Nova exchanged a knowing look before Raid nodded in gratitude. With that, they stepped past Emily, entering.
The first thing the two of them saw was a large, weathered rectangular table, aged by years of use, placed at the very center, dominating the space, its length facing them with empty chairs neatly arranged around it. Against the canvas walls of the tent, an array of smaller tables stood, each cradling its own trove of paperwork. The documents lay in patient stacks, while unlit candles, their wicks untouched, waited for potential enlightenment.
Only one person other than the newly arrived pair occupied this large and lifeless space: a woman sitting at the far end of the table, leaning back against her chair, clearly dozing off. Both smiling affectionately, they approached the woman with the utmost care, Raid flanking left, while Nova right, their steps synchronized to avoid stirring the dozing figure.
Nova's smile took on a mischievous gleam as she linked a tiny amount of aura to the tip of her right index finger, reducing its temperature as it glowed a faint, icy blue. Though Nova couldn't feel the chill, she was certain her fingertip was now frosty. Raid observed, torn between permitting her playful prank or intervening.
"Alice," Nova whispered softly, testing the waters with a now massive grin that stretched from ear to ear, before gently pressing her icy finger against Alice's exposed neck.
Alice jolted up, her body quivering as she nearly leaped out of her chair, unleashing a pitiful, startled shriek. A few moments later, when she just barely managed to regain her composure, a snickering Nova enveloped her in a tight, adoring hug.
Alice Rose Kolba-Kadalis. Often considered a product of two great noble houses by those around her, treated more like a tool than a person her entire existence. Yet despite this mistreatment, she remains soft-spoken, loyal to a fault, and famously hard to anger. Alice was also Raid and Nova's childhood friend. In fact, it wouldn't be a lie to say the three of them grew up together. It was only when societal pressures emerged as they got older that they were forced to spend less and less time together, requiring the need to make appointments by the time they all reached adulthood.
Alice's beauty was undeniable; she boasted flawless, healthy skin, long silky black hair, and an overall pleasant smile. Yet, it was her true silver eyes that defined her look, eyes highly prized in the Sundahelm. While her own families didn't hold her in much value, from an outsider's perspective, she appeared almost untouchable. Her lineage connected her to two of the most influential houses within the Rose, and true silver eyes considered a scarce blessing by Essen himself. It wouldn't be surprising if many on the outside deemed her powerful. Ironically enough, currently, this false belief in her true influence has been her only source of power. If enough people believe in the lie, then it becomes true, that is, until it isn't.
"So, what's this about being a commander? Last I remember, you weren't even in the military," Raid voiced, crossing his arms and casually leaning against the table.
"As you know, a good portion of my family has always been involved in the military. Skipping a few ropes isn't anything unusual," replied Alice with difficulty, wrestling with a very clingy Nova. "I only joined a few days before the war. Not willingly, mind you; I didn't have many options."
"It's barely been a month since the war started," Raid scoffed, "and you're already a Vice-Captain? Most career officers would die long before they even reach that rank, whether by age or otherwise. Mainline nobles sure have it good."
"My circumstances are special, you could say. I am in desperate times. I've lost a lot earning this position, made a lot of promises, helped a few people who would rather see me dead," she sighed. "Even after all of that, if I didn't have my status and the years of military education I already had under my belt, I wouldn't be here right now."
"Then why are you here? And I don't mean this position, what made you join the military to begin with? Last time we met, you were talking to me about a business venture, not this."
"Didn't I say I was desperate?" Alice smiled. "I am losing value Raid, and I do not know how long I have. I am almost certain the treaty that has been my guardian for so long will be void soon if not later." A sudden wince interrupted her thoughts as she felt the tight grip of the person beside her. "Nova, please, you're squeezing me. I don't mind you hugging me so tightly but could you ease up just a bit?"
Nova, unyielding in her affection, rested her head on Alice's shoulder, seemingly oblivious to the discomfort she caused. "So, if I understand correctly," she mused, "you're hoping that military service might gain you some kind of influence. Thus giving you the ability to protect yourself."
"It's more than just self-protection now, because I don't think that's enough anymore. I want to earn my place among my own kind, if that's even possible..."
"Why would you want to earn a place among them? They're fucking idiots," Raid scowled. "They treated you like shit your whole life, why bother?"
"Raid," Alice whispered worriedly, casting a wary glance towards the canvas entrance, "the maids are outside; tone it down. They could hear you."
"What about them? They're just maids. Are you afraid they might snitch or something? We're on a battlefield."
"Raid, shut it," Nova asserted. "Remember what I told you about our world? It's a little complicated, remember? Even if you lived in one, there are still walls. Alice can't simply leave her family, she can only advance in it. It's the same case for me. You know all this, I’m sure. When we talk about earning a place, it means she doesn't want to be weak anymore. Maybe all this time spent outside has been making you forget what it was like."
"Right, I forgot. Well, you could've just said that outright. I don't understand why you girls always talk in such a roundabout way. Alice, how did you even get yourself in this position? Did you come here on your own? You do realize that being in the rearguard in cases like this is often near suicidal from the very beginning, right?"
"My aunt…" Alice replied, her voice tinged with resignation. "That's the sole reason I'm here. I tend not to embrace roles for which I feel wholly unqualified for. But, had I known you two were here earlier, I would've asked for this position myself instead of letting my aunt impose it upon me."
"Your aunt fucking hates you," Nova smirked.
"Yeah… I think so too."
"Touching, but I'd rather we avoid all meeting our demise together," Raid said, his tone unintentionally harsh, clearly displeased with the idea. "A little heavy on the soul if all three of us were to go to hell together you know?"
"You do have quite a lot of maids on hand Alice," Nova mused. "Wouldn't it be quite expensive for the house to lose them? Are the servant staff here as well?"
"Both. If it were just me, I would have at most two. But my mother's image and the treaty is still in effect, regardless of the cost. Half of her staff is here."
"Costly, I wonder what she's planning. No, never mind, perhaps another time. Not exactly the safest place to talk about this."
"I'm sorry, I'm not really understanding what's going on here. The maids being expensive?" Raid asked. "Because there's a chance they'll die here? What about Alice? There's a chance for her as well."
"It's a bit more nuanced than that Raid. It's also irrelevant to you, and trust me, you'd prefer it this way. Haven't you always avoided this kind of stuff until now?" Shifting her focus back to Alice, Nova inquired, "So why did you call us here anyway? Did you just want to see us or what? I mean, I don't care either way, I just wanted to make sure."
"Oh, right… Nova, if you would let go of me for a second." Gently removing herself from Nova's grasp, before making her way to a small table at the far end of the tent. She swiftly retrieved two thick folders, a large scroll, and several candles. Returning to the two, she handed the scroll to Nova and arranged the folders neatly on the table followed by the candles.
"What is this?" Nova asked.
"A map. Open it up. Lay it out on the table for me while I look through these folders."
"So you actually called us for a reason? That's surprising," Raid said.
"Well, initially I just wanted to see you, made some kind of excuse. But there is actually business to be had now. My apologies, I wanted us to just talk too."
"Alice," said Nova, "did you know you made our old mentor come and get us? Iris was the one who guided us at the knights academy."
"You mean Sergeant Fae? I didn't know that. She was the closest one around when I gave the order. Maybe I should've waited a bit and got an actual runner instead. It's a bit disrespectful to have an experienced lead sergeant running errands, but I wasn't exactly thinking straight at the time. You two must be quite close to be on a first-name basis with her."
"Close enough for her to beat the living shit out of us without any repercussions," Raid mumbled.
"I'm sorry? She does what now?"
"Don't mind him; he's talking nonsense," Nova interjected sharply. "So what is it that you wanted to show us?"
"Umm, okay. So listen here," Alice urged, her finger tapping on a drawing of a square etched onto the map. "This is where we are." She then placed a few candles around the square. "And these are flanking Imperial forces, currently encircling us harder than the guy you didn't worry about."
"My, we're off to a bad start," Raid remarked.
"A horrendous start," agreed Alice. "Now, what I am about to tell you is information I have yet to announce. There are still numerous details under discussion. For now, please keep this among yourselves. This grim situation, provided we don't encounter any further surprises, I will inform everyone within a few hours."
"Do we still maintain any form of communication with our army?" Nova inquired.
"A proper link? No. They had already expressed closure of communication an hour or so ago. We can still use avian courier but don't expect it to remain open for long. We also don't have that many birds on hand so I'd rather refrain from using them when possible. And if I may, you might find this interesting, the last few messages with our army has had and I quote, 3rd Stray Core as our identifier. It seems a few within our army already consider us abandoned dogs for slaughter. Rather funny don't you think?"
"Well, that's just them politely telling us to do whatever we want," Raid chimed. "So, what's the plan?"
"This will be an informal order, the official one will be sent out later this afternoon. I'm sharing this information with you first because, unlike the others," Alice said, allowing Nova to toy with her left hand. "I need you and your units to prepare immediately. I wish we could just talk, I really do, but a lot has changed while I was waiting for you two."
"Hey, Alice. You have a chipped nail here," Nova muttered.
"Nova, please pay attention. I know you're not particularly interested in this sort of thing, but it's important."
"Who said I'm not listening Alice? I am interested. Don't you realize I'm better at this sort of thing than Raid is? You shou— woah… are these calluses I'm seeing? When did you get these?" Nova gasped.
Alice swiftly withdrew her hand, guarding it against her chest, her face flushing with embarrassment.
"Wait, seriously?" Raid leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Alice, let me see."
"Stop it you two," Alice said quietly, almost pitifully. "Listen to what I'm saying. Nova, back off, now. Raid, you too."
"Come on, Alice," Nova sulked, "we're just surprised. I never would've imagined you wielding a weapon of any kind."
"Not now," she said firmly, regaining her composure. "Eyes on the map, alright? Now, focus here. Hey, Nova," she called, clicking her fingers to grab Nova's attention. "Are you listening? Yes? Good. Now, if I am allowed to continue without further interruptions, I intend to establish a circular defense, with the camp as its core. Nova, what was I saying?"
"You intend to establish a circular defense," she replied sarcastically.
"Well, at least you're listening. As I was saying, circular defense with the camp as the core, the specifics of which isn't of much use to either of you. What matters is my strategy concerning the knights. Raid, how many knights are under your command?"
"I don't know," he admitted, "before the skirmish, I had maybe five, if I remember correctly."
"Only five?" Alice repeated, grimacing. "Worse than I thought."
"Better than none. Remember, while we don't count, if you include me and Nova, that makes seven. That is, if we didn't have more casualties during the skirmish. Is this going to be a problem?"
"No," Alice sighed. "Sergeant Fae's squadron will just have to take more of the slack. The plan still hasn't changed, just a little repositioning. Except the knights will now only fight when necessary."
Raid and Nova exchanged puzzled glances for a second, before their eyes flitted back to Alice.
"We're not stopping the encirclement?" Raid asked. "And why hold the knights back when we're the only thing stopping the Lemfords from sweeping over the rearguard like a blizzard in Ishniem?"
"And that's precisely why I can't risk losing or exhausting the knights. Casualties among your number will no longer be tolerated. We can take extra losses among the soldiers, but that is not the case for knights. The only time you'll be allowed to fight would be to counter other knights. But even then, solely to prevent them from dismantling our defenses. Raid, Nova, please, listen closely. I'll reiterate. I will not tolerate any more losses among the knights. The first skirmish has already shown how badly things would go for us if we keep doing as we have."
"So, you want us to stand by and watch as the soldiers get slaughtered? Only intervening when we spot an lmperial knight while we're in chains? That doesn't sound like a lot of fun," Nova remarked, her voice laced with displeasure.
"Once the order of relief arrives, a breakout would be our only way of making it out of here alive. I need to conserve our strengths. I have plans to form a spearhead strike package composed only of knights."
"We're caging ourselves, holding tight and waiting for orders. Is that it?" Raid said, leaning over the table and grabbing one of the candles, examining it. "Alright, sure, fuck it. I trust you more than myself, if this is what you think works then I'll play along."
Alice retrieved a small, unassuming letter from within a folder, casting it onto the table. It lay there, stark and open, revealing the names of both sender and receiver: '2nd Kundis Allied Army's Strategic Staff to the 3rd Stray Core's Planning Staff.' The letter contained just two words: 'Die well.'
"A sick joke," Alice said. "If they went to the effort of wasting valuable military resources to humor us, we can only comply. While this was most likely sent with good intentions, it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it? Guess we won’t know unless we ask them in person. Something I’m very keen on doing, particularly, a strong word with the man responsible for labeling us as Stray, and that means getting out of this situation alive..."