Thirteen people were gathered- Erik, Ash, King Harold, Princess Layfare, Magistrate Vulek, Timothy, Lucia, Henry, Vice Duke Ventil, Admiral Bisham, Prince William, Arthur and a Wismarine named Cohir.
It was a large group, Erik thought. But then again, these were the people they had allied in the course of this war.
"May I begin by saying that I shouldn't be here?" Arthur said, raising his hand shyly. "I don't command. I can't command."
"Me too" Layfare said.
"But you are a symbol of Hadea's fealty to the Union and symbols are powerful." Timothy said to the Princess. He then turned to Arthur. "You are also a symbol of sorts. You will be one of the commanders of the artillery crews."
"Artillery crews?" Arthur looked around as if seeking for help. "No, no. I don't know how to be in charge of them. I don't even know how those damn things work!"
"You don't need to know. The artillery crews..." Timothy sighed, shaking his head. "They don't respond well to stern orders from officers. They do, however, respect nobility and royalty. You are the only royal we could spare."
"You can spare me as well." William lifted his arms, only stumps remained of his lower arms. Erik's stomach churned, feeling the pain of a warrior such as William to lose both arms.
"You will command the Vanadian legions."
"They won't respect me with these arms."
"They will respect your or they will answer to me" The Queen said and that silenced William. The Castonian prince leaned to his chair and nodded weakly afterward.
"So what now?" William asked.
"We will cross the Great River of Sha. We will also bring our navy with us."
"It is as expected." Erik said, realizing the subtle effects of crossing the river. "The Great River of Sha connects Malzan to four other Wismarine cities. Crossing and controlling it would cripple the already crippled Wismar. But Sarah would probably defend the crossings. I think she is already building fortifications around the crossings."
"Yes that is expected. The scouts reported that there are already forts guarding the bridges." Timothy turned to the Wismarine. "There are three crossings right?"
"Yes" The Wismarine whose name was apparently Cohir nodded. "Sha bridge, Gremlin bridge and the Stony bridge. All three are just about a couple of leagues from each other. Poor design, I tell you."
"And what's left of the Wismarine navy are anchored in the Sha river. They will defend the three crossings. We need to attack with both with our army and our navy. Admiral Bisham will command the attack from the river itself. The Wismarines have fortified the river with chains and traps so be careful. The Borondians will accompany you."
"We will rule the waters just like how we rule the land" Admiral Bisham said.
"Ash and Harold will be in charge of the Cantonese. You, along with the Inkish under Magistrate Vulek, will assault the middle Gremlin bridge. The fortifications are thin there so it should be a less bloody battle compared to the other two bridges."
"We will t-try our best." King Harold said and puffed his chest to Ash. "Together, you a-and I."
Erik rolled his eyes on Harold's poor attempt at flirting. He saw Timothy's displeasure too.
The Queen turned to the Magistrate of Inkit. "We have great respect for your father and we expect that you are of the same caliber."
The Magistrate saluted, bringing his fist on his chest. "I am my father's son. The Republic of Inkit will serve you well."
"The Vanadians will take control of the Stony bridge to the east. The Wismarine desert tribes will accompany you for cavalry support." Timothy continued.
Cohir saluted in silence. Prince William just nodded though.
"The Tulosans and the Castonians will attack the Sha bridge. This will be the bloodiest encounter among the three. But I have trust in you Henry" Timothy looked at Henry and then at Erik. "And in you. You have full command over the Castonian legions except Rooster. I will personally lead Rooster and the combined royal guards. Prepare your men today. Tomorrow we will head to the north."
"Tomorrow?" Erik frowned. "I don't mean to question but isn't that too soon?"
The others also wore faces of worry. Even William seemed daunted by the thought.
"It will not if you move fast. I am not here to discuss our plans with you. I am here to command and you will all follow. Am I understood?"
Timothy was calm saying that but Erik could feel the pressure of his words. He was committed to annihilating the Wismarines as soon as possible.
"Of course, yes." Erik said. "Tomorrow"
"Good then." Timothy rose and the Queen followed. "The day is young but soon night will come and then tomorrow will follow. You better move fast."
***
The sun held on its last radiance. Night was devouring the sky -bit by bit but inevitable. The dusty autumn air blew on Henry's cape, fluttering it like a flag.
"Everything is prepared?" He asked a knight prefect.
"Not quite Grand Master. But we will manage. You should retreat to your quarters."
"Then I'll go now. Feed the horses double rations. They deserve one last feast."
The prefect saluted and Henry went on his way. He didn't go to his tent though and instead decided to pay the monarchs a visit.
Security was strict when he arrived. The royal guards confiscated his weapons and armor except his cape. Henry wouldn't let them take his cape anyway.
And so he went up to the monarchs' room with simple tunic and trousers but with the marvelous cape of the Grand Master.
"Evening Abraham" He greeted to the royal guard. "And you Bear."
"You look less daunting without armor and your pointy steel." Bear was mocking him. "And your horse."
"Stop it" Abraham pushed Bear away. They were of the same size but Abraham was more confident with his movements. "His Majesty has been expecting you."
"Expecting me?"
"Yes. So go in."
Henry went inside. Both of the monarchs were having their meal. Smoky smell of grilled turkey lingered in the air. Henry's stomach growled.
"You Majesty..."
"Eat" King Timothy said. "We have prepared an extra meal for you."
There was indeed an untouched plate in the table and a goblet too. Henry sat on one of the chairs but did not touch the food.
"Abraham said that you've been expecting me. How?"
"We are good friends and you haven't visited me since your arrival yesterday. I figured you'll visit tonight." He forked a chunk of the turkey but transfered it on the Queen's plate. "How is Freya?"
"She is well. We bought a house and a small plot of land near Bivon. But we rarely stay there as Queen Emily always invites us to lodge at the palace. My responsibilities also demand that I stay inside Bivon so we rarely venture into our home."
"And is she with child yet?" The Queen asked.
"I hope not. Not until the end of the war anyway. I could die in the field and I don't want our child to be fatherless."
"You are thinking grim things Grand Master. You will not die." King Timothy produced a small smile. "So are the Tulosans prepared to mobilize tomorrow?"
"The horses has been weakened by the long sea voyage from Holm but we are ready."
"That is pleasant to hear. But I presume you are not here just to talk about horses. You aim to offer me your condolences."
"I do. I respected your father. May the Omniscient guide him to peace." Henry bent forward, hands clasped. "But I am afraid that you are being swallowed by anger."
"Anger, yes. I am angry. I am furious."
"Will this be a problem? I once told you that I will guide your ways. And I'm saying that your father's death shouldn't be blamed solely on the Wismarines."
"Yes. But most of them are guilty. They started this war. They butchered citizens of Vanadis. They committed crimes."
"Not all of them. Please, reconsider this."
"If you are worried that I will commit a genocide then be at ease. I will not go that far. I haven't gone crazy yet."
"Are you sure?" Henry bit his tongue. "I mean, thank the Omniscient."
Timothy still had that smoldering rage but Henry now believed that he wouldn't do anything rash and rotten.
He wouldn't right?
"Then I will be off. Thank you for your offer of food but I must go back now."
King Timothy provided a single stiff nod. "Omniscient guide you Grand Master. Rest well. I need you and your Tulosans."
***
Wismarine Camp, Near Malzan
'Twentieth Day of the Middle Autumn, Year Five Hundred Eighty.
Her Highness Sarah has been unhappy this past month. She is still smiling and laughing loudly but her antics are more reserved now. It must be because of the defeat at Holm and the capture of Kotara. I don't know how long this would last but I hope it will be over soon. We need her. The whole of Wismar needs her to think a way to defend against the Union.'
Hatshin halted his hand. He examined the quill amidst the dull flicker of candlelight. The ink had dried now and he was still not through with his daily journal. He dipped the quill in blank ink and resumed writing.
'Rumors say that the Union and Wismar will meet in a final battle soon. It is inevitable they say. I hope not. What could a poor camp cook like me do when faced against a charging knight? Or worse, a Castonian? My body shivers just with the thought. But what can I do really? The wheels of war are turning and even all the world's donkeys cannot pull it to a stop. I guess I'll just continue serving delicious meals to Her Highness. Maybe my food will make her feel better. Maybe my cooking will give her peace of mind to think. I'll be a hero then. Hah! Would you imagine that? Hatshin the hero. Sounds good to me. But as I fill this journal with words nobody would read, I feel worry in my guts. Dark days are coming. Truly dark days. Many of my comrades, people I know, will not last until spring. I pray to the wind that everything will be fine. Ashkara, please save us all.'