Just fifty years ago Dialkas empire was country of six tribes. One person ruled them all, but tribe started civil war. After math was civil merchant won the battle and biggest supporter became the ruler. But he arranged that his children can´t take his place. Merchant will rule this empire. When ruler dyes then biggest merchant takes his/hers place.

Currently ruler is second one and next most possible person is Margaret thanks to sales in Tetrao village. Margaret has to keep rights to use trade path to great sea. In other case she would loss her change for the empire.

Dialkas country is place only talented person can survive. Unfortunately war left deep scar to the empire´s people. More than 60% of the population died then. Even today they haven´t recovered their past clory. But their preparations to the war is great since everyone are eager to find empire´s resources.

Because of these factors all three countries surrounding Tetrao village are in stalemate. Non of them can sent more forces to Tetrao village. In other case war will happen with all three countries. The first one to move is the one how loss and they all knew it.

East from Tetrao village in count Ben forces.

This is bad. Now I can´t make any big moves in other case we are in trouble. Even smallest mistake might cause an explosion between all three countries. Our next move have to be think through carefully.

Situation is so bad no one want to propose any ideas. Reason is everyone is scared of their judgement might cause disaster to everyone they care for. Silence came. Everyone still new also if done nothing people how were already sent to the battlefield will suffer.

Challenge enemy to one on one battle.

Then one knight proposed the one on one battle between army leaders to the death. Reason for it is their status. In battlefield killing noble or knight class personel is illigal. If some nolmal soldier accidently kills knight they would be killed after the war. They should try to capture the knight and ask for ransom. Same go with the horses. Normally horses are scared of loud noises. So horses which are trained to the battlefield are particularly expensive. One horses could pay male hole life salary. Largest reason for volunteer soldiers is this certain reason.

As for as knight vs knight battles are most generally battlefield turning point. Winner is almost always the over all winner. The most wars will be over after that kind of fight. To the commoners these kind of fights are considered as ”clown show”.

”Clown show” is people running after knight and horses for salary. Also when two noble start fighting each other. Then everyone else start beting on how is going to win between enemies.

Right now knight proposed that kind of ”clown show” and everyone knew what he meanted by that.

It was outrageous proposition. Especially when the enemy is renowned Nicolas warrior of desert peak. The living legend. In addition to that count Ben isn´t fighter. He would be doomed to loss.

Ben said. Where can we find him?

This guestion started brouhaha.

What are you asking?!

Shout was heard almost everywhere exactly the same time.

You life isn´t your to give. It belongs to everyone of us. Don´t ask such guestions never again.

Ben´s sectetery said these words in the hurry.

Not everyone agreed. Those person were new or they had come for their pride. But in that moment most of them also changed. They had heard many good thing about count Ben. Even still they doubted everyone´s word. They though rumors were exaggerate.

When commander Henrik commands with examble then count Ben commands with care and conscience. Every soldier knew when those two were together no one could defeat them.

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Then Ben proposed other option.

In that case we will start trench warfare along the river's edge. Everyone get ready for Henrik´s help calls. If they ask for help we must act immediatelly. This is going to be long night.

In the commander Henrik´s commands.

We made huge mistake. Now we have to go to sect the river if king is trying to leave. But we all know he is still here. We can´t waste any time and we have to start by wasting time as we know it.

People´s moral has completely lost and all men start to be frustrated. This has to stop.

We should have been taken the hit. Why they attacked to the defenseless maintenance troops?

We don´t have food or water. We can´t waste time here.

West side the swamp people palaver everywhere. Nothing went as planned. Nobody assumed enemy would leave their defenses and attack elsewhere.

All men attention!

Commander Henrik shouted everyone back to together. Everyone silenced and started to concentrate to the commander.

How much are here?

About 1200 men.

200 men will go to the river find out if king is trying to escape. Also you will stay there protect us from any enemy reinforcements. If you don´t hear from us in three days consentrate on retreat. Hold the defense only when it is possible. Remember retreat is always better than surrendering.

Yes sir!

Two 500 men troops will go with me targeting the village.

Scouts will investigate regions further from the road. We don´t want to be done for same kind of attact.

Let´s go!

Mapping the area which has been keep secret isn´t easy. It might help win this war but in the future it might cause complete destruction. Because of that Sepro showed area by drawing in to the ground. In addition he is bad at drawing so knowledge show can´t be used accurately.

Tar boulder cliff is nearly perfect defensive point. Because you can see the whole battleground. There is only one path to go there which is well hidden. If enemy tries ignore us we can easily attact

into their rear. In addition enemy probably isn´t considering only this place is guarded then they are getting misleaded information how many people are in here.

Second river is in full of rapids. So only couple of places are save to cross and this places is most easy to see place of them. Even if enemy had boats which they doesn´t it would be difficult to cross almost everywhere. My home is one of the seven houses which are in near the second river´s edge.

If they are going to cross they are going in front of my home while I´m looking. Hopefully that doesn´t happen.

Nicolas! Our defensive preparations are ready for enemy attack.

Well done! Now everyone except those how are in look-out should take a rest while we can. As for areas original cityzen, I would like to talk about with them.

Both me and my father went to meet head general.

I would like to ask you why you are so interested in what is happening here?

That was suprising guestion for me which I didn´t expect. It is true. I´m way more interested in the world around me compared to other in my age, but I didn´t see any problem before. Reason might be my best friend Herman is similar with me. General wouldn´t be this much interested in me if he would see what Herman is probably doing right now.

I think. I´monly worried about people close to be so I don´t want to make any mistakes which might cause them to suffer. It is true I´m not as much terrified as I should be. It might be because everything hasn´t sink in just yet.

That is enough you can go away to rest. I continue to talk to your father.

As I left the place in though what they were talking about. No matter if it is important I will hear it some day.

Your son is both strong and weak at the same time. His mind is brilliant and quick-witted, but he isn´t accepting whole situation. It is so obvious that he didn´t internalized the fact that his plan made many people run into the swamp and sank there while screaming help. He is going to break at any minute and it might happen at any moment. You must talk to him about it. This might cause him to change into different person if not dealt correctly.

I understand. I will talk with him.