"Fucking graveyard here. This doesn't look all that good for us, at this rate we'll have this whole place to ourselves," a knight remarked, surveying his surroundings as if every detail held a hidden treasure.
"Quiet," Raid replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion. Half-awake, he groaned as he trudged down a path that led deeper into the camp.
Over the past two days, the camp had undergone a remarkable transformation. It now boasted a well-organized network of pathways that led to various locations, complete with thoughtfully placed directional signs at key junctions and points of interest. These signs were not only functional but also aesthetically designed. As aesthetically pleasing as a soldier could manage with a bit of spare time, a humble knife, and questionable artistic skill. Tents were now aligned in neat rows, where possible. With the addition of designated trash piles, though scattered throughout, making the place a lot more tolerable but did not help with the smell.
As nice as the improvements were, the camp had lost its liveliness. The recent casualties had left some areas devoid of life, with whole units wiped out in combat. The atmosphere had grown somber, and soldiers spoke less, their focus on equipment maintenance and enduring longer shifts on the front lines. The warm morning sun provided some solace in this less vibrant setting. A glimmer of hope one can say, a wishful feeling of sorts given only in daylight before it is dashed in the dark. The chaotic night fighting had proven particularly disheartening, as being on the defensive provided no advantage. Soldiers found themselves locked in place, unable to do anything but listen to the gut-wrenching sounds of their comrades being slaughtered. At least in the daylight there was comfort in vision.
The news of the encirclement two days ago had dealt a severe blow to morale, and the hopeful air that had once filled the camp had yet to return. Some areas felt grim and almost abandoned, with the only place still bustling with activity being the field hospital, if one can even consider the cries of the injured lively in any sense.
"Ah, come on man. You've got to let me speak at least. I'm like three years your senior."
"And that matters how?" Raid grumbled. "Try saying that to the commander. I'm pretty sure she's like two years younger than you, see how that goes."
"How'd you know her age?"
"I don't. It was a guess," Raid lied.
"I heard she's quite the looker. Guess I'll see if all the rumors are true. Apparently she has a pretty bad temper but, and mean too."
"Quiet... You've been nagging my ear off ever since you woke me up. It's bad enough I only had three hours, and now I have to listen to you."
"You could have just left me with Marcus. It's not like I'm of much use to you."
"Leave that poor bastard alone. Let him rest. The last time I saw him, he was exhausted wrangling you two."
"Then how come Carter gets to be with him? I just sit around and do nothing with you."
"What are you, a child? Unlike you, I can leave Carter alone for a time and everything will be fine."
"And what kind of fucking problems do I cause? It's not my fault that bastard lost a bet and picked a fight. I won that money. And you're just dragging me along because you get all sad and lonely when Miss Nova isn't up your ass every second."
"Answered your own damn question. Gambling is prohibited in any form Nolen, and in case you forgot, I outrank you. While I am a lot more informal than the others, I would still appreciate some respect. Any other officer in my position would already have you publicly flogged. And for the record, if you have the gall to speak to me this way, I wonder how Nova would feel if she found out you called her miss?"
"I am a knight. How are you going to punish me? You'd have to break a few dozen swords before my aura breaks."
"And that is exactly why you have me, also a knight," Raid emphasized. "As your lead. Now, if memory serves me correctly, we never actually had a chance to spar, have we? Let's set one up if we make it out of this alive. I hope your healing is as good as your mouth. A few fractured bones should heal just fine. I am quite good with my control, so you don't have to worry about any permanent injuries, I assure you."
Nolen didn't reply. Maintaining a stoic silence, trailing behind Raid as they continued their journey. It wasn't until they turned a corner that Nolen finally broke the quiet, his curiosity piqued by the large open space that unfolded before them. At its center stood a massive tent, surrounded by a crowd of people.
"Is that the command tent?" Nolen inquired.
"Yes, we'll be heading straight inside."
"The tent is huge, I was told it was big but I didn't think it would be this large. Do you think it'll fit everyone here? That's quite a crowd."
"The ones waiting outside aren't invited, so they'll have to hear the news secondhand once the meeting concludes. Only those relevant to the discussion or announcement are allowed in, though relevant to what I have no idea."
"I don't recall receiving an invitation."
"You're with me, so it's alright. Let's hope there aren't as many people inside as there are out here."
Some members of the crowd parted ways upon spotting their approach, their distinct and unmistakable uniforms drawing gazes of admiration and respect as they passed by. Nolen, his ego nourished, walked with confidence and pride, chest held high as he wore an ear-to-ear grin. On the other hand Raid did his best to ignore the attention, disliking the numerous eyes fixed upon him. When they neared the entrance, the maids and guards who had been concealed within the crowd revealed themselves. Raid introduced himself, and a guard nodded and stepped aside, allowing him entry.
Inside the spacious tent, a hubbub of voices filled the air as officers in various uniforms mingled and chatted. The atmosphere brimmed with anticipation. The interior had been stripped of most of its usual furniture to accommodate the gathering, leaving a vast open space.
A warm glow emanated from strategically placed lanterns hanging from the ceiling, casting a soft, amber light that complemented the cream-colored canvas walls. A large, semi-detailed map of the surrounding area took center stage on the sole remaining table, marked with pins and notes, dominating the right side of the tent, serving as a focal point for the discussions taking place. At the farthest end of the tent, a conspicuous void remained, drawing the attention of all present, thick with expectation. This space had been reserved for the commander, who had yet to arrive.
Raid and Nolen navigated through the crowd. Amid the chatter and bustling officers. They discreetly sought a secluded space along the left side of the tent, where they could observe without invoking undue attention. After a brief search, they found a discreet spot against the canvas wall, allowing them to stand without disrupting the flow of the tent. Here, they settled into a vigilant silence, their eyes fixed on the ongoing discussions, their presence blending almost seamlessly amidst the sea of uniformed figures. Occasionally, their distinctive uniforms piqued the curiosity of a select few, who couldn't help but steal glances at them, enticed by the unique attire.
Knights were far from commonplace. Their numbers were substantially smaller compared to the rest, which shrouded them in an air of subtle mystery. To many, they seemed like the very embodiment of a monster, or chained beast, a being transformed into nothing but raw and unrefined violence. Opinions about them varied, with admiration and respect being the only constants. This was partly due to the fact the knights primarily worked and fought with their own. Additionally, there was a widespread lack of understanding about how aura functioned in public spaces, which led to misconceptions. Leaving this group of individuals struggling to connect with and, more importantly, confide in anyone beyond their own circle. Knights also occasionally tarnished their own image, ranging from minor infractions like ill-mannered conduct to egregious acts such as massacring innocent populations and forsaking their code of honor. Thus further worsening the divide.
From the entrance, a maid soundlessly and elegantly made her way in, her poised silence commanding attention. With two claps of her hands, she managed to capture the focus of those closest to her. A ripple effect coursed through the gathering as more and more individuals noticed her presence, until a quiet enveloped the entire tent. It was common knowledge that any attendant bearing the Kolba's emblem could only be the commander's, so an air of anticipation swelled as everyone eagerly awaited her words.
The maid stood tall, her posture impeccable, with both hands clasped behind her back as she scrutinized everyone in her vicinity until she was satisfied. "Vice-Captain Alice Rose Kolba-Kadalis of the Splintered 14th Battalion, Commander of the 33rd Strays, will now enter. Step aside."
The 33rd Strays, a name adopted by the soldiers in place of the 3rd Stray Core following the announcement of the encirclement two days prior, had quickly gained popularity and became the unofficial recognized name of the core, to the point that all the reports now bore this name.
Alice entered, flanked by two maids. She wore a fatigued expression with noticeable bags under her eyes, unsurprising given the numerous rumors of her sacrificing sleep due to her heavy workload. She was dressed in the more comfortable service uniform: a plain gray coat with the ever-present armband over a white button-down shirt and loose-fitting pants. Her uniform was spotless, almost brand new even, most likely recently worn due to the lack of wrinkles. In contrast, nearly all the officers surrounding her wore field uniforms, consisting of breastplates over gambesons with tight-fitting, durable field pants, some with greaves and vambraces, and others without. Many were dirty, sweating, with tired eyes and bloodstains on their armor.
Alice walked confidently to the empty space at the end of the tent reserved for her, taking her place on the stage. She turned around to face the assembly, with the two maids positioning themselves behind her. For many officers present, especially those accustomed to the rigors of frontline duty, spending minimal time in the encampment, this was their first sight of her. Despite her proven competence, which had averted potential disaster through meticulous planning and flawless execution, Alice still faced skepticism and scrutiny from many in the room.
To their eyes, she remained a young noblewoman who only got this position and advanced her career through the favor of the general. They believed she needed to earn their complete trust, even as they acknowledged that without her, they might have already met their demise. Perhaps if someone with similar circumstances were placed in the same position, they might have faced a much greater challenge than Alice currently does. However, Alice's true silver eyes alone command a certain level of respect, even if others reject her as a person. Granting her a sense of control over those who dared not offend someone with the prestige of past heroes.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Alice, assessing the atmosphere, remained perfectly composed. She was no stranger to giving speeches, and this most certainly wouldn't be her last. But she could confidently rank this as the most intense and focused crowd she had encountered thus far.
"I'll forgo the formalities and get straight to the point," Alice began. "I'll keep this as brief as possible; consider this merely as an announcement, and bear in mind that detailed assignments will follow shortly. While I will provide the overarching strategy, it's crucial to acknowledge that some particulars are still in discussion. We may find ourselves improvising on the fly due to our constrained time frame. Therefore, feel free to take independent action as you see fit, so long as it aligns with our overall objective."
The silence grew more profound, devoid of even a whisper. It felt as though Alice were addressing silent, watchful statues.
"At precisely 2:41 today, we received orders from our main army relieving us of our rearguard action," Alice continued. "We must now expedite our preparations for a breakout from this encirclement and regroup with our main army at Vailiran. All units must assemble behind the 14th line northeast of our current position by the afternoon. The withdrawal will be swift and abrupt. Each of you will maintain your positions until a signal is given, we must minimize the time available for the Imperials to respond. Our priority is speed, with the exception of all things deemed essential, we must leave behind anything that might slow us down."
Alice turned her gaze toward two distinct groups within the crowd. The first, wearing service uniforms, displayed weariness, their fatigue bordering on collapse, all slim, lacking any scars or wounds. In contrast, the second group still appeared somewhat alive. Their long white coats stained in deep crimson, eyes devoid of life, evidence of recent toil.
"2nd Lieutenant Cassius, 3rd Officer Oskar," Alice said. "I believe I have already instructed you to discuss this among yourselves. I would like to hear your conclusions now."
2nd Lieutenant Cassius Rose of the 78th Logistics Corps, responsible for all logistics of the 33rd Strays. Known for working himself to death, he had already been forcibly pulled away from his desk by his subordinates thrice in the last two days. Believed to be nearing his mid-sixties and without a family, he devotes his entire life to the military.
3rd Officer Oskar Rose, hailing from the 19th Medical Corps, has earned a reputation as a man of few words, often proving challenging to engage in conversation. His unexplainable and fervent obsession with the intricacies of the medical profession is well-known, and there exist rumors suggesting he had a shadowy past as a petty criminal before enlisting in service.
The two officers exchanged a silent, knowing look before Oskar nodded and stepped forward. "All wounded, regardless of the extent of their injuries and whether they can walk on their own power, will accompany us alongside the support personnel during the breakout. I assure you, our comrades will not be abandoned."
Cassius now stepped in to speak, "The rumors of abandoning our comrades in the event of a breakout are entirely false. The commander wishes to make this clear now; those who have fought alongside us will not be forsaken. We have enough animals for everyone. You may continue to fight well, knowing that those in the support elements will take care of you long after your fall. That is of course, with the exception of the already dead, as they will be considered useless baggage."
"No one will be left behind, I hope this is clear enough for you all," Alice added. "But let me reiterate the importance of this detail: we will only bring the essentials with us, traveling as lightly as possible, everything else will be and shall be discarded. There will be consequences for anyone who fails to comply, as it undermines the core as a whole. Now, regarding the deceased, we'll have to leave them exposed to the gazes beyond. I understand the tradition of burial held by many of you and your reluctance about leaving our fallen bare, but we have no other choice if the living are to survive. Time is of the essence. However, I will turn a blind eye if you choose to provide a proper farewell to your close comrades in your spare time, provided all official tasks are completed and you find yourselves pointlessly idle."
A hand emerged from the crowd, seeking permission to speak. It belonged to a 1st Officer bearing the markings of the 140th Company.
"You may speak, 1st Officer," Alice granted.
"Allow me to be curt, Commander. Might it not be wiser to stage our breakout to occur further north? The forest extends farther in that direction, allowing us to utilize the terrain as cover and move further with less risk. Beyond the 14th line lies open plain where the Lemfords have always held an advantage. It would also enable them to pursue us more easily, leaving us vulnerable, even defenseless. If they catch us out in the open, we'd have no choice but to hold and forgo our retreat. Could this not lead us to our doom?"
"The 14th line," Alice emphasized. "Is the only place where we even have a chance at a successful breakout. All reports suggest that the Imperial forces in this area are minimal and lack strength. This area has seen little conflict, and there is no indication of it being a trap. If we execute our retreat swiftly and seamlessly, it will take time for the Lemfords to discern and respond. By the time they muster their efforts to hinder us, we should already be gathered at the 14th line.
"This means that the only adversaries capable of preventing our breakout will be the Imperial forces already positioned at the 14th, and potentially a nimble reactionary force, such as the Imperial knights. Time will work against us. Two objectives must be achieved for our success. First, a discreet and rapid initial retreat to the 14th line. They will eventually realize our absence, but it should grant us a window of opportunity. Second, and most importantly, we must defeat the Imperial forces at the 14th before their main army reaches us. The key to this lies with our knights.
"A Spearhead Strike Package has been formed for this task. Comprising the 3rd Knights Fireteam and the 76th Knights Squadron, led by Lead Sergeant Iris Rose Fae and 2nd Officer Raiden Anyi as her vice. Now, due to Sergeant Fae's absence as she prepares for the breakout, 2nd Officer Raiden will speak on her behalf. Officer Raiden, present yourself."
Raid pushed his way forward, stepping out from the crowd. Nolen followed closely behind, uncertain whether he should stay back or follow. "I don't have much to say; the plan is quite straightforward. The Spearhead Strike Package will be responsible for the initial breakout. We will engage the Imperial knights, breach the Imperial lines, and once a gap forms, the rest of the core will follow into it. We will create the breach, and you will break the line with it. Once that's accomplished, the way to Vailiran will be clear, and we'll move swiftly with the Lemfords right behind us."
"The retreat is scheduled to begin at 13:40 hours," Alice continued. "Hurry to the rally point behind the 14th by 16:00, with the breakout ideally starting at 16:30 hours. I understand that the distance to the rally point is significant, especially for those defending the far south, but we don't have the luxury of time. Those not vital to the current defense, primarily the support elements, will embark on their march to the rally point at 12:00 hours."
With practiced ease, Alice retrieved a small pocket watch from inside her coat. "Support elements, you have just over four hours. For everyone else, a little less than six until the operation commences, eight and a half until the stage is set. Prepare and complete your tasks quickly. That's all; further details will be distributed soon. Anyone wishing to stay and discuss the specifics is welcome, and those with questions or proposals are encouraged to approach me now. I'll be available for a short while, so speak your mind while there's still a chance."
And with that, the meeting ended. Several attendees immediately made their way to the exit, most notably the medical personnel who hurriedly departed, eager to return to the injured. If there was a group of people who fit the term workaholic more than anyone else, it would be the Hospitania. The core was already severely understaffed in the medical department, having a few of their members attend the meeting was already a tall order. Most remained behind however. A hoard of officers gravitated towards Alice, besieging her with questions and concerns. Simultaneously, discussions regarding the appropriate course of action, preparations, and contingency plans unfolded, with some meticulously documenting everything spoken and topics discussed.
The room quickly erupted into a loud chatter, with small groups scattered all around. The two biggest concentrations of men were those around Alice, who was practically swarmed; her form was now hidden behind a mass of uniforms. The others were gathered around the large map, fingers pointing in various directions as they engaged in heated debates and passionate disagreement.
In the Sundahelm, there is a tradition a few clans practiced in their military, initially and informally known as the Sylvia Skull, which, by this point, had now been officially recognized. Its name derived inspiration from a famous and aged tale from the Maris Clan in East Anglia, recounting the tragic story of a man who drank himself to death while lamenting the plight of his beautiful but bedridden wife, Sylvia. The practice encouraged officers to engage in independent discussions after every meeting, fostering an environment of open thought and unbiased opinions. This practice had played a pivotal role in several wars, where an idea or opinion, often from a lower-ranking officer who would typically have limited involvement in tactical and strategic planning, had blossomed into a victorious strategy.
Raid watched, unsure of what to do and not particularly interested in participating. He was halfway through the decision of leaving when he felt two very faint taps on his back, and he immediately knew who it was.
"When did you get back?" Raid asked without so much as a backward glance.
"Just now, and immediately made my way here," Nova replied, turning to acknowledge the man lurking behind Raid. "Greetings, Nolen. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I did. Thank you for asking, Lady Fable," Nolen replied meekly.
"Where did all that confidence go?" Raid said. "You were pretty content earlier with that mouth of yours. Perhaps Nova would like to hear what you had to say while she was gone."
"Oh? Really now. Would you care to tell Nolen? I hope it isn't anything worse than what you said in the past? Is it?"
Averting his eyes, Nolen stammered, "N-nothing. I said nothing."
"And you'd better keep it that way," Raid chimed, smirking. "Wars always start with words, so consider talking less shit from now on."
Nova's gaze hardened as she directed it towards Raid, "Do you need him for anything?"
Raid shook his head. "Not really. I brought him here because he seemed bored, isn't that right, Nolen?"
"Nolen," Nova said. "I saw a few people moving supplies and equipment from the 1st Storage. Help them."
"Is that a request or an order?" Nolen asked. "If it's a request, then I don't want to."
"Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. I am kindly telling you to leave before I consider caving in your skull. If I remember correctly, your shift doesn't start anytime soon, and I expect you to avoid me for a bit until my mood improves. Is that clear? Or maybe I can train you for a bit, help you with your sword skills on the training grounds. No aura, just skill."
Nolen swallowed hard and relented, "No need. My apologies for what I said earlier. I'll leave now."
"I have no knowledge of what was said," Nova smiled. "But it mustn't have been good if Raid mentioned it. Now go, I'll see you soon."
Nolen nodded and made a hasty exit, his face concealing the rage boiling within him.
"A bit too harsh on him, don't you think?" Raid said.
"You wanted a warning, didn't you? Besides, he hasn't made much of an effort for me to treat him otherwise. How did he survive while the others had to die? At least Carter has the decency to keep his mouth shut. I miss Mae already, she always somehow made dealing with people like him look easy."
"Okay, now that's pretty harsh. He talks a lot of shit sometimes, but he's kind, even if it doesn't show. I've seen him risk his life more than once."
"Isn't that expected of all of us? Cowards are executed."
"That's not my point, but I get it. What are you doing here anyway? Figured you'd be tired enough to head straight to bed after your watch."
"What? I can't come and check up on you? I was planning to after I made sure you were doing all right."
"Me? Not Alice? Thought you'd miss her more than me."
"Where is she? I don't see her," Nova asked, her gaze searching.
"There, in that heap of men, right in the center being swamped with questions."
"Looks like I can't pay her a visit, can I? How was the meeting anyway? What was said?"
"Are you hungry? I haven't had breakfast yet. Maybe you'd like to grab some with me while I brief you on current events. I don't think we are needed here."
"Sure. Let's hope the cooks have something other than stew."
"What if it's just hot rations?"
"Well, I can't eat that either, can I?"
"You're fucking picky Nova. How about you take after a pig once in a while? It wouldn't hurt you."
"How about I stuff you full of those wretched things? Even you can't eat more than three or two of them at a time."
"Well, three or two is more than enough to fill me most of the time, isn't it?"
"Shut up smartass. Let's go."