POV David
I marveled again at my brother's military mind. I could not truly understand how he'd managed to predict with such clarity that this should be the field of battle. But I was in awe nevertheless.
I had about five thousand under my nominal command for this battle. Following my brother's suggestion I'd deployed the troops on the flatter ground near Hesn, the line formed a rough arrow shape with the right flank being anchored on a deep stream.
On my left was the Veder escarpment, currently occupied by an unknown number of daemons. And on my right was the village of Bauerdorf, currently infested with a lot of undead. I turned to my brother.
"This will be a bloody affair won't it?" I asked.
He nodded. "No way around it. Even if the daemons and undead clash first it'll be a bloodbath."
"If only we could kill the Necromancer." Veria muttered, reminding me that every commander was present. "It would free us of one foe."
"The best result would be if they kill each other." Rena replied dryly.
I took a deep breath and started studying the field, the likely approaches, the folds in the terrain one could hide a well timed ambush. I glanced at Smith and we both nodded.
"I'll take the 5th and 6th companies, I think it unlikely for battle to be joined today, maybe a few skirmishes." Smith said with a wicked grin. I returned it with a nod.
"How big is this company your brother speaks of?" Alexious asked after Smith left.
"A company is three platoons of forty soldiers." I replied off handedly while I continued watching the escarpment for any movement.
"Why organize your regiment into such small units?" Would that not be detrimental to combat ability?" Alexious asked.
"Not necessarily." Veria replied. "Most towns only have a garrison of twenty to sixty soldiers."
"It's only detrimental in large field battles. It's why the regiments consolidate for a field battle." She continued. It's like the army we have here, individually these forces would have been torn apart, but together they form a stronger force."
There was some upset grumbling from the nobles that had been coerced into being here. Mostly about how a boy shouldn't be here. I noticed how Alexious bristled under their comments and noticed he was looking my way when he thought I wasn't looking.
"Rena? Would you mind dispatching a company sized element of your regiment to screen the left?" I inquired.
"Of course, I'll see to it." I nodded and continued to look at the battlefield. This wasn't my area of expertise. I'd much rather be sitting at a table and reading the subtle ticks of my foe in verbal debate than trying to get into his head from across a field.
"That should be it for now, I'll send for you if something comes up." I addressed the mass of nobles before taking my leave. Much to my annoyance I was shadowed by a large amount of them. Why did I never get a break? I made my way to my tent, the group following me inside. Alexious, Veria, Earless Barford, Veina, and Shyora crowded the modest tent.
"Yes?" I asked as I plopped down on my cot.
"Baron Fulton…" Barford began slowly. "Do you have a plan?"
"Yes." I sighed at their expectation faces.
"What brilliance do you have in mind Baron?" Veina asked, stars shining in her eyes. The others were giving her odd looks.
"My brother will let me know if the plan is practical or not tonight, I'll brief you all as needed afterwards." I replied to Veina as I pulled out my journal and started writing some of my thoughts in it. Alexious crept over and peered at it, mich to my annoyance.
"What writing is that?" He asked after a moment.
I looked at him with a confused look. "English? The same shit I was teaching you the other day?"
"Oh, I don't recognize these symbols though." He pointed at a sentence which I'd underlined and wrote a few other thoughts around with a few markings.
"Don't worry about it." I muttered as I closed the journal.
"Master? Why not slay our foes, between your brother and yourself you would be able to clear a great many of the undead." Shyora piqued after a moment.
I ignored the daemon and turned to Veria. "What are your plans once this little… incident, is wrapped up?"
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"Depending on how well this goes, how will you use it for your political benefit?" I asked. I was genuinely curious about this, her involvement made the least sense beyond her token claim of wanting to keep an eye on her brother.
"I was going to use this opportunity to bring you into my harem." She replied with a strained smile. "But now I've realized that will never happen, so I'm furthering the relations between our houses instead."
I gave the princess a long stare. "I appreciate the honesty."
"Well, I'm afraid I must also be the bearer of bad news." She said after a moment as she handed me a letter, "I had wanted to wait until after the battle, but I'm afraid that would harm our friendship."
I took the letter out of its worn envelope. The seal was the princess's, so most likely this was from some member of her harem, or perhaps one of her close servants.
My beautiful Morning Sun,
There's been many happenings at the palace since you've left, I'm afraid. Most involve the Queen of Dragons, and not in a good way. Foremost is her claim of how inadequate her new liaison has been, she has taken to publicly demanding her previous liaison return to his duties. Speaking of Baron Fulton, how is your progress to add him to the harem? We are not pleased, but we've readied him a room regardless.
Aside from that scuffle and embarrassment for count Evart Lady Fulton has been increasing her political influence, though i'm afraid as of yesterday it no longer matters, the Dragon Queen abducted her when she stormed off in a rage. Lady Fulton said she left her assets in her brother's care until she returns.
I stopped reading, it was a bit obvious I'd read what I'd needed to. I took a deep breath and set the letter down. That… bitch. I stood and walked outside of the tent and stared south at the distant mountains.
"Master?" Shyora asked.
"Lord Fulton?" Alexious asked with concern.
"Please don't be sidetracked from the present issue…" Veria wrapped her hand around mine, "I swear to help you however I can once this incident is resolved."
"That depends on whether we live." I muttered darkly. I'd tell… no. He couldn't know yet. I went back into he tent and grabbed the letter, burning it until only ash remained.
"Who else knows?" I asked Veria.
"Only us." She replied after a moment of shock at my insistence.
"It stays that way." I insisted. I waited for her to nod her head before I relaxed. Smith couldn't know, not yet. For the greater good… Rebecca would have to wait.